Humber College is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive culture in which all members of the College community study, work and live free from discrimination and harassment. To this end, it is imperative that we understand key human rights and equity terms and concepts that will enrich our capacity to prevent all forms of harassment and discrimination. The Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion will be providing information on key human rights and equity terms pertinent to our work in building a more inclusive College.

This Communiqué post focuses on the prohibited ground of Creed as identified in the Ontario Human Rights Code.

The Ontario Human Rights Code (Code)

Social Areas - The Code provides protection from discrimination in five areas of our lives. It states that every person has a right to freedom from discrimination in the following areas, known as social areas:

(Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission)

Prohibited grounds of discrimination - The Code recognizes that discrimination occurs most often because of a person's membership in a particular group in society. The Code protects people from discrimination in the five social areas noted above based on the following prohibited grounds:

(Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission)

What is Creed?

According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission:

Under the Code, creed rights are protected in five areas (called social areas): housing, services, employment, contracts, unions and professional associations.

The Code does not define creed, but the courts and tribunals have often referred to religious beliefs and practices. Creed may also include non-religious belief systems that, like religion, substantially influence a person’s identity, worldview and way of life. The following characteristics are relevant when considering if a belief system is a creed under the Code. A creed:

• Is sincerely, freely and deeply held
• Is integrally linked to a person’s identity, self-definition and fulfilment
• Is a particular and comprehensive, overarching system of belief that governs one’s conduct and practices
• Addresses ultimate questions of human existence, including ideas about life, purpose, death, and the existence or non-existence of a Creator and/or a higher or different order of existence
• Has some “nexus” or connection to an organization or community that professes a shared system of belief. (Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission)

For further information on the prohibited ground of Creed, you are invited to access the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Policy on preventing discrimination based on creed.

Thank you for your commitment to ensuring an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.