Ontario Human Rights Code - History

History

The Ontario Human Rights Code was the first law of its kind in Canada. Before June 15, 1962, various laws dealt with different kinds of discrimination. The Code brought them together into one law and added some new protections.

The Ontario Human Rights Code took effect on June 15, 1962, and it was the first Human Rights Code of its kind in Canada. June 15 was chosen as proclamation date for the Human Rights Code because it was the 747th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.

The Ontario Human Rights Code of 1962 replaced the province’s existing anti-discrimination legislation, including:

• Fair Employment Practices Act, 1951 which prohibited discrimination based on race and religion in employment;
• Female Employee's Fair Remuneration Act, 1951 which prohibited an employer from paying a female employee less money for the same work done by a man in the same establishment
• Fair Accommodation Practices Act, 1954 which prohibited discrimination in public places on racial, religious or ethnic grounds;
• Ontario Anti-Discrimination Commission Act, 1958 which created a commission to administer the above acts and develop educational programs;

At the same time that the Ontario Human Rights Commission was created, the government of the day, led by Premier Leslie Frost introduced an amendment to the Fair Accommodation Practices Act to prohibit discrimination because of race, colour or creed in the renting of apartments in buildings which contain more than 6 units.