Combatting Discrimination

An illustration of one figure being excluded from a group

Every person in Ontario has the right to be free from racial, religious, and other forms of discrimination, including in public spaces, at workplaces, and when accessing services. There are services and supports to help victims of discrimination file a complaint or report an incident. 

The Ontario Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination against people based on:

  • age,
  • ancestry, colour, race,
  • citizenship,
  • ethnic origin,
  • place of origin,
  • creed,
  • disability,
  • family status,
  • marital status (including single status),
  • gender identity, gender expression,
  • receipt of public assistance (in housing only),
  • record of offences (in employment only),
  • sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), and
  • sexual orientation.

Visit www.ohrc.on.ca to learn more.

Visit Hamilton For All campaign (hamiltonforall.ca) to learn how to promote inclusion and fight against hate and discrimination.

Programs

Hamilton Police Service, Community Relations

Hamilton Police Service
 
155 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A7, Canada

Serving the Aboriginal, Faith, LGBTQ, and Newer Immigrant population, plus the wide-ranging diverse demographic of the city of Hamilton. Providing information and awareness in the spirit of fostering and enabling healthy community relations between police and the communities served. The office also works very closely with the Hate Crimes Unit towards the dissemination of information as it relates to education, awareness, and elimination of hate-related activities.

Hamilton Police Service, Graffiti Prevention and Reporting

Hamilton Police Service
1-800-222-8477 (Crime Stoppers), 905-546-2489 (Report existing graffiti)
 
155 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A7, Canada

Accepts reports of graffiti and graffiti-in-progress to allow the Hamilton Police Service to work with the City of Hamilton to monitor graffiti trends and undertake rapid removal and identification of perpetrators. Property owners are responsible for removing graffiti from their own property as per City By-law.

To report graffiti in progress call 911 or Crime Stoppers. 

Hamilton Police Service, Hate Crime Unit

Hamilton Police Service
905-546-4910 (Race Relations/Community Relations Coordinator), 905-546-4925 (Non-emergency)
 
155 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A7, Canada

A police unit specifically mandated to monitor and assist with investigations involving hate crimes.

HARRC Incident Reporting Form

Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre
 
Hamilton, ON, Canada

A contact form for people who have experienced or witnessed acts of racism or hate in Hamilton, who require support or referral services due to racism, or have questions about how to report a hate crime.