I work for a federally regulated industry (e.g., a bank, an airline, trucking, broadcasting), and I was discriminated against. What can I do?

Last reviewed October 2025 by the Clicklaw editors

If you’ve been harassed or put at a disadvantage (making it harder for you to succeed) because of who you are, you have experienced discrimination. The Canadian Human Rights Act (section 3) says it’s illegal to discriminate against someone based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability, and past criminal convictions that have been pardoned or suspended.

If you believe you’ve been discriminated against by federally regulated employers, employee organizations, or service providers, you can file a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. 

Federally regulated industries

Federally regulated industries include banks, airlines, Crown corporations, port services, trucking, and broadcasting.

If a federally regulated organization’s accessibility plans, feedback processes, or progress reports have caused you harm, you might be able to file a complaint with the Accessibility Commissioner under the Accessible Canada Act. 

Making a complaint

The Human Rights Commission has information about the complaint process, including links to the rules you must follow, the forms, the steps involved, and how the Commission can make changes (accommodations) for people who need extra support. In most cases, you should file your complaint within 12 months of the event you want to complain about. You can apply online or by email, mail, or fax. You can apply online or by email, mail, or fax.  

If you’ve been discriminated against in British Columbia, please see our common question “I’ve been discriminated against in BC. What can I do?” This page talks about making complaints to the BC Human Rights Tribunal. 

Helpful resources

  • Discrimination — What Can I Do about It? (Canadian Human Rights Commission): This guide is for anyone who wants to prevent or protect themselves from discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. It explains what discrimination and harassment are and shows you how to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
  • About the Accessible Canada Act (Canadian Human Rights Commission): This page provides information about the Accessible Canada Act, what it covers, and who is and isn’t covered by it.
  • LSLAP Manual: Human Rights (PDF) (Law Students’ Legal Advice Program): This chapter discusses how complaints are handled under federal human rights legislation.

Helpful services

  • The Labour Program (Government of Canada): Find answers to questions about employment standards if your employer is federally regulated.
  • Summary Advice Program (Access Pro Bono): This service offers free legal advice to low- and modest-income individuals by telephone or videoconference. Book an appointment with a volunteer lawyer by filling out the online form or calling the client line.
  • Legal Referral Service (Access Pro Bono): This service offers a customized referral to a lawyer, a notary, or a designated paralegal for a free, brief consultation. Booking fee may apply. If you would like further help from the legal professional, you can retain them at a rate you both agree to.
  • Everyone Legal Clinic (Access Pro Bono): Articling clinicians work under the supervision of practising lawyers and provide legal services on a lower-cost, fixed-fee basis. They can help with human rights complaints.
  • National Directory of Professionals Assisting SRLs (National Self-Represented Litigants Project): This is a list of lawyers, paralegals, and other legal experts who help people who are representing themselves with legal issues like human rights complaints.
  • Find more services.