Yukon

Yukon has a Human Rights Act and the Yukon Human Rights Panel of Adjudicators, which remains separate from the Yukon Human Rights Commission. These decisions are not available for free from CanLii.

Grounds of Discrimination Recognized: Ancestry, including colour and race, national origin, ethnic or linguistic background/origin, religion or creed, age, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, criminal charges or criminal record, political belief, association, or activity, marital or family status, source of income, actual or presumed association with any of the grounds listed above.

Areas of Application: Employment, and any aspect of employment, Receiving Goods and Services, Housing, Leasing or Renting, Membership in or Representation by Trade Unions or Professional Associations, and Public Contracts.

Procedure: Complaints initially go through an inquiry/ intake process and then proceed to review by a Director. At this stage, the Director will ensure that the complaint is with merit, and if so, will refer the matter for investigation, voluntary mediation and then possibly a hearing. If the matter is without merit, the complaint can be discontinued.

How to Begin a Complaint: Complainants can discuss their complaint with an intake officer for initial information and to see if the Tribunal would have jurisdiction.

Limitation Periods: Complainants must make a complaint to the Commission within 18 months from when the discrimination happened. The Commission may extend the time limit in certain cases if the delay was in good faith and does not prejudice you or others involved.

Remedies: If the Board finds that there was discrimination, it can also order the Respondent to stop the discrimination; pay the Complainant money for any financial loss caused by the discrimination; pay the Complainant money for injury to his/her dignity, feelings, or self-respect; pay the Complainant what is called “exemplary damages” if the discrimination was “malicious” (meant to cause the Complainant hurt or distress); pay the Complainant’s costs, for example lawyer fees to represent the Complainant.

This content has been updated on 23 February 2023 at 11 h 28 min.