Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is an independent government entity that is tasked with administering the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.
Two of the Commission’s main roles include:
- Providing a human rights dispute resolution process to resolve allegations of discrimination both on an individual and systemic level; and
- Working to eliminate barriers and prevent discrimination through education, training, public engagement and policy development.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against by an employer, landlord, or other service provider, you have the option of contacting the Commission to file a complaint. To get a better sense of whether the Commission can address your complaint, consider using the Commission’s self-assessment tool.
Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman
The Nova Scotia Office of the Ombudsman addresses complaints involving provincial or municipal government departments, agencies, boards and commissions.
It considers and investigates complaints from people who believe they have been treated unfairly when using government services, or when they believe a policy or procedure has not been followed correctly or is unfair.
You may contact the Ombudsman by telephone at 1-800-670-1111 (toll-free) or by email at Ombudsman@novascotia.ca.
Residential Tenancies Program
Residential Tenancies Program: If you are a tenant and you are unable to resolve a dispute with your landlord, you can apply to the Director of the Residential Tenancies Program for mediation or a hearing. You may apply online or by calling 1-800-670-4357. To learn more, visit the Government of Nova Scotia’s website, titled Residential Tenancies: a guide to resolving disputes between Tenants and Landlords.
Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Division
Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Division is responsible for administering the Labour Standards Code. This is done through:
- Providing awareness sessions and presentations to employers, employees and recruiters;
- Investigating and resolving Labour Standards complaints;
- Auditing pay and recruitment records; and
- Answering inquiries from the public by phone, email and in person.
If you feel you have been treated unfairly by your employer, in violation of the Labour Standards Code, you can contact Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Division or visit their website to learn more about the complaints process.
The Canadian Human Rights Commission
The Canadian Human Rights Commission deals with complaints under the Canadian Human Rights Act. For federally regulated services and activities, you may be able to bring a complaint about discrimination based on disability to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
The Canadian Transportation Agency
The Canadian Transportation Agency (also called the CTA) helps protect the human rights of people with disabilities to access federally regulated transportation services. For federally regulated transportation services, you may be able to file a complaint with the CTA.
The CTA also has a toll-free Accessible Transportation Complaints Help Line, wherein staff can provide information and guidance about concerns involving accessible transportation. The hours of operation for the helpline are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and the contact information is:
- 1-844-943-0273
- TTY: 1-800-669-5575
The CTA also publishes a range of helpful materials such as: