Information
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is committed to providing information to Nova Scotians about human rights and how people are protected in the province. We believe human rights education and awareness are key to ensuring every person is free and equal in dignity and rights.
What Rights are Protected?
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Act affirms every person is free and equal in dignity and rights without regard to:
- age
- race
- colour
- religion
- creed
- ethnic, national, or aboriginal origin
- aboriginal origin
- sex
- sexual orientation
- physical disability
- mental disability
- family status
- marital status
- source of income
- irrational fear of contracting an illness or disease
- association with groups or individuals
- political belief, affiliation or activity
The act also prohibits harassment and sexual harassment in all areas of public life.
It is against the law to be treated unfairly in key areas under the province's authority, as legislated by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Discrimination in these areas is against the law based on the above characteristics in the Human Rights Act. 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