Canada: Human Rights

In Haynes v Alberta (Human Rights Commission and Tribunal), 2026 ABKB 575 [Haynes] the Court of King’s Bench took a closer look at the discretion held by the Director of the Commission and the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals, and it provided further clarity on a complainant’s ability to proceed before the Tribunal when they have other more appropriate forums available for resolution.

Navigating a shift in gender identity involves profound personal changes that extend into legal and estate planning considerations. Understanding how name changes, gender identifiers, pronouns, and medical directives intersect with wills and powers of attorney ensures that estate plans authentically reflect and honor a person's true identity throughout their life and after death.

First Nations in Canada have the authority to establish their own membership systems independent of the Indian Act. This article examines three primary models for defining community membership—ethnic, civic, and residency—and explores how Indigenous communities can draft membership codes that reflect their values while avoiding historical discrimination and ensuring legal compliance.

Summer is peak season for many Ontario employers. Tourism operators, restaurants, retail stores, camps, agricultural businesses, and recreation facilities all rely heavily on temporary and seasonal workers to meet demand. While these roles may be short‑term, the legal obligations toward these employees are anything but casual. Ontario’s employment and human rights laws apply to temporary, seasonal, part‑time, as well as full‑time staff.

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (the “Tribunal”) recently reaffirmed the central importance of the duty to investigate in the workplace. In Dabbagui v. AV Terrace Bay, 2026 HRTO 784, the Tribunal found that an employer’s failure to meaningfully investigate allegations of workplace discrimination before terminating a probationary employee resulted in a breach of the Human Rights Code (the “Code”).

The Alberta Court of Appeal has reinforced the evidentiary requirements for Indigenous groups seeking standing before the Alberta Energy Regulator, clarifying that specific evidence demonstrating how a proposed approval could directly affect the exercise of Indigenous rights is essential. This decision addresses the intersection of regulatory standing requirements and Indigenous rights claims, while also examining the role of cumulative effects in establishing standing for regulatory appeals.

On June 22, 2026, Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon and Alto President and CEO Martin Imbleau announced updates to Canada's high-speed rail corridor plan, introducing a new southern route option that may include Kingston as a stop. This development raises important questions about Indigenous consultation, land rights, and environmental impacts, particularly given the potential overlap with Williams Treaties lands and the concerns expressed by First Nation communities about meaningful participation in d

First Nations seeking self-determined governance through custom election codes face critical drafting challenges that can undermine their sovereignty.

Plus tôt cette année, la Cour d’appel du Québec (la « Cour ») a rendu sa décision dans l’affaire Procureur général du Québec c. Metellus (l’« arrêt Metellus »), où elle devait déterminer si l’abolition du régime des permis de propriétaires de taxi constituait une expropriation déguisée ouvrant droit à une indemnité. Ce faisant, elle a traité de la portée de l’arrêt Annapolis, rendu par la Cour suprême du Canada en 2022, en droit de l’expropriation québécois.