The human rights of Nova Scotians are protected in many ways. First, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act is a law that makes it illegal to discriminate in this province. But this law doesn’t apply in all cases. When Nova Scotians do business with the Government of Canada, or with a business regulated by the federal government, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act does not apply. Instead, there is a Canadian law called the Canadian Human Rights Act that offers protection.

This web site is about the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act and its protections.  For information about the federal Canadian Human Rights Act, visit the Canadian Human Rights Commission at www.chrc-ccdp.ca.  If you are not sure which law applies, call us at 1-877-269-7699.  In the Halifax area, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission can be reached at 424-4111.

The English version of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act can be found here, et la version française ici.

And you'll find a downloadable version of our new Human Rights Education brochure here.

In Nova Scotia, what rights are protected?

• Age
• Race
• Colour
• Religion
• Creed
• Ethnic, national or aboriginal origin
• Sex (including pregnancy)
  • Pay equity
• Sexual orientation
• Physical disability
• Mental disability
• Family status
• Marital status
• Source of income
• Irrational fear of contracting an illness or disease
• Association with protected groups or individuals
• Political belief, affiliation or activity

The Act also prohibits harassment based on any of these characteristics, and prohibits sexual harassment in all areas of public life.

It is against the law to be treated unfairly in key areas under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.  Discrimination in these areas is against the law based on the above characteristics.  These areas are:

• The workplace
• Housing
• Services and facilities (such as stores, restaurants or provincially funded programs)
• Purchase or sale of property
• Volunteer public service
• Publication, broadcast or advertisement
• Membership in a professional, business or trade association, employer’s or employee’s organization