Civil & human rights
Last reviewed March 2024 by the Clicklaw editors
Human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms that you’re entitled to as a human being. They are universal and apply to everyone. Civil rights are about specific rights and freedoms that Canada guarantees to its citizens. You have the right to vote, freedom of expression and freedom of religion, and the right to equality under the law.
Gain a deeper understanding of your rights as someone living in BC. You can better advocate for yourself and others when you think that rights are being violated.
Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.
Selected resources
Click on a topic to see a list of resources.
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BC’s Human Rights System
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
This tool helps you figure out who can help you with your human rights issue. You can get legal help making a human rights complaint, file or check on the status of your human rights complaint, explore human rights issues in BC, and better understand your human rights.
Last reviewed July 2024
Human Rights in BC
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
This website introduces the three pillars that support human rights in the province. It also offers a brief explanation of personal characteristics based on the Human Rights Code, such as age, religion, gender identity, source of income, and many more.
Last reviewed March 2024
BC Human Rights Clinic: Process
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
Describes the process of filing a human rights complaint, including how long each step can take, what to expect after you first send your application, what documents you may need, and how to prepare for a hearing.
Last reviewed March 2024
Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Government of Canada
Explains the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter) and its importance in the daily lives of Canadians.
Last reviewed July 2024
Dial-a-Law: Charter Rights: Equality Rights
People’s Law School
The idea that all people should be treated equally is a core value in Canadian society. In fact, equality rights are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Charter Rights: Legal Rights
People’s Law School
Several legal rights are enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Learn about these rights, and what a court can do if your legal rights are violated.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Children’s Rights
People’s Law School
The legal rights of children vary from those of adults. Learn the rights of children in several contexts, and situations where their views are considered in decisions that affect them.
Last reviewed March 2024
Discrimination: A Primer
People’s Law School
Explains discrimination, which is when you’re treated badly or unfairly because of certain parts of your identity. Learn to identify discrimination, and find out what steps to take if you’re discriminated against.
Last reviewed July 2024
Hate Speech and the Law in British Columbia
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
This page answers common questions about hate speech based on the laws that are applicable in BC. Includes discriminatory speech, protected characteristics under the Criminal Code and BC’s Human Rights Code, freedom of speech, defending yourself when accused, witnessing hate speech, and being a victim.
Last reviewed March 2024
If You Are Indigenous and Experience Discrimination
People’s Law School
Explains discrimination, which is when you’re treated badly or unfairly because of certain parts of your identity. Learn what your human rights and options are if you experience discrimination.
Last reviewed July 2024
Freedom of Expression
BC Civil Liberties Association
Fact sheet about the right to free expression in Canada.
Last reviewed March 2024
If You Are Indigenous and Experience Discrimination
People’s Law School
Explains discrimination, which is when you’re treated badly or unfairly because of certain parts of your identity. Learn what your human rights and options are if you experience discrimination.
Last reviewed July 2024
Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights
Government of Canada
Explains the anti-discrimination legislation in Canada that protects and advocates for the human rights of Indigenous peoples.
Last reviewed July 2024
Booklets for Indigenous Prisoners
Prisoners’ Legal Services
Various booklets that explains your rights and the programs available to you as an Indigenous person in federal or provincial custody.
Last reviewed August 2024
Your Tenancy: Human Rights
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)
While the Residential Tenancy Act is the main piece of legislation that governs tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities, section 10 of the BC Human Rights Code gives tenants further protections when it comes to discrimination in tenancies. This resource explains the basics of the Human Rights Code as it applies to tenancies.
Last reviewed July 2025
Know Your Rights: A Guide for People Who Rely on Public Space
Pivot Legal Society
A guide on basic rights designed for people who rely on public space and regularly interact with law enforcement figures, including police, bylaw officers, and private security guards, because of their living conditions.
Last reviewed March 2024
Discrimination in the Workplace
People’s Law School
Being treated differently than others based on personal characteristics is called discrimination. The law protects you from discrimination at work. Learn your rights and options if someone discriminates against you.
Last reviewed October 2025
Your Privacy Rights at Work
People’s Law School
Explains the balance between an employer’s need to know what’s going on in their workplace and a worker’s right not to be snooped on. Information on this page includes what privacy law applies to your employer, and explains your privacy rights during the hiring process, including the fact that your employer must have a privacy policy, and more.
Last reviewed October 2025
Address Sexual Harassment
Government of British Columbia
Defines sexual harassment, gives examples, and goes over procedures for prevention and addressing complaints. The web page emphasizes the roles of both employees and supervisors in maintaining a respectful work environment. Written for those who work in the BC Public Service.
Last reviewed March 2024
Booklets for People in Federal Prisons
Prisoners’ Legal Services
Various booklets explain your rights and the programs available to you as a person in federal custody.
Last reviewed March 2026
Booklets for People in Provincial Prisons
Prisoners’ Legal Services
Various booklets explain your rights and the programs available to you as a person in provincial custody.
Last reviewed March 2026
Booklet for Youth in Custody
Prisoners’ Legal Services
Booklet explaining your rights and the programs available to you as a youth in provincial custody.
Last reviewed March 2026
Booklets for Indigenous Prisoners
Prisoners’ Legal Services
Various booklets that explains your rights and the programs available to you as an Indigenous person in federal or provincial custody.
Last reviewed August 2024
Trans Rights BC: Know Your Rights
Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre
This project aims to spread human rights information that is accurate, accessible, and relevant to the safety and well-being of trans and gender-diverse individuals and their supportive allies across British Columbia. Topics include immigration, public spaces/services, sex work, and more.
Last reviewed March 2024
Protecting Our Schools: A Handbook to Address Transphobia in Education
Lawyers Against Transphobia
A detailed guide to help school boards, staff, and students fight transphobia in schools. It was created by Lawyers Against Transphobia, a group of about 50 lawyers, teachers, parents, and justice workers, whose goal is to tackle transphobia by working within the legal system and with the media, and responding to transphobic incidents as they...
Last reviewed September 2024
BC Human Rights Clinic: Do I Have a Complaint?
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
Information about whether you have a complaint under the BC Human rights Code for filing with the BC Human Rights Tribunal. Answers questions such as what is discrimination and the duty to accommodate.
Last reviewed October 2025
File a Discrimination Complaint
Canadian Human Rights Commission
This page outlines what you need to know before filing a discrimination or harassment complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. It tells you what rules you need to follow, the forms you need, and how the complaints process works.
Last reviewed January 2025
BC Human Rights Tribunal: Guide to Getting Ready for a Hearing
BC Human Rights Tribunal
A guide for the hearing process for a complaint under the BC Human Rights Code. It gives an overview of the process, describes how you can prepare for the hearing, and explains what happens at the hearing and when you can expect a decision.
Last reviewed March 2024
BC Human Rights Tribunal: Guide to the Settlement Meeting
BC Human Rights Tribunal
This guide is an overview of the settlement meeting process under the BC Human Rights Code. It describes what happens at the meeting, when the meeting is held, who is at the meeting, and what the outcomes might be.
Last reviewed March 2024
Making a Human Rights Complaint
People’s Law School
Explains the steps involved in making a formal human rights complaint.
Last reviewed July 2024
Guide to the BC Human Rights Code and Tribunal
BC Human Rights Tribunal
The BC Human Rights Tribunal is responsible for enforcing the BC human rights law, known as the Human Rights Code. This overview describes what the tribunal does, how to file a complaint, what the process involves, and where to get help.
Last reviewed March 2024
BC Human Rights Tribunal: Guide for Self-Represented People
BC Human Rights Tribunal
This guide explains how the tribunal works in plain language. It gives the definition of administrative tribunal and explains the roles of different parties involved. Topics outlined include making the applications, what happens in the hearing, and what to do if you disagree with the decision.
Last reviewed March 2024
BC Human Rights Tribunal: Information Sheets and Guides
BC Human Rights Tribunal
This web page provides links to the four guides to the BC Human Rights Tribunal process, along with information sheets and frequently asked questions.
Last reviewed March 2024
LSLAP Manual: Human Rights
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter is used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It’s an overview of legislated human rights, the contexts in which those rights operate, and prohibited grounds of discrimination. The complaints process and available remedies are also addressed.
Last reviewed November 2025
Discrimination
People’s Law School
Main page with links to information and guides about discrimination. Topics include discrimination in accessing a service, in the workplace, in housing, in mental health, in accessing health care, and systemic discrimination. Learn how to make a human rights complaint, and your rights if you’re Indigenous and experience discrimination.
Last reviewed July 2024
Human Rights
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Learn about your human rights, what is considered discrimination and harassment, what is the duty to accommodate, and how the discrimination complaint process works.
Last reviewed January 2025
Charterpedia (information about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)
Government of Canada
Charterpedia provides legal info about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and contains information about the purpose of each section of the Charter, the analysis or test developed through case law in respect of the section, and any considerations related to it. Each Charterpedia entry cites relevant case law.
Last reviewed March 2024