Laws, rules and decisions

Important Notice

November 27, 2024

Tribunals Ontario has modernized its website to provide a more intuitive, user-friendly online experience for users. For more information, see our operational update and Quick User Guide .

Learn about the laws and rules that affect the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO).

On this page

Access the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) if you need legal advice or assistance with a matter covered by the Human Rights Code.


Legislation and regulations

The HRTO is established under the Human Rights Code. Applications claiming discrimination or harassment contrary to the Human Rights Code may be filed with the HRTO. The opportunity to mediate disputes is offered to all parties.

The Statutory Powers Procedure Act provides a general framework for the conduct of hearings before Ontario’s administrative tribunals.

Regulation 290/98 under the Human Rights Code describes business practices landlords can use to select prospective residential tenants. Tariff A of the Rules of Civil Procedure sets the fees which must be paid when summoning a witness.

Prejudgment and postjudgment interest rates are governed by s. 127 of the Courts of Justice Act. If an adjudicator orders someone to pay you money and orders either prejudgment or postjudgment on that money, these tables helps you calculate any interest you are owed.


Rules

There are two parts to the rules that govern the procedures of the HRTO.

Part I is the SJTO Common Rules and Part II is HRTO Rules of Procedure . Both parts should be read together.


Practice directions

Practice directions support the rules of procedure and provide guidance about what the HRTO expects of the parties and what the parties can expect of the HRTO. They help parties to understand the rules.


Decisions

To read decisions of the HRTO, visit the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). CanLII is a non-profit organization that makes Canadian law accessible for free on the Internet.

Before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario was established, decisions under the Human Rights Code were made by Boards of Inquiry. Those decisions, issued from 1963–2002, can be accessed online.

For process-related information about decisions, including what to do if you disagree with your HRTO decision, see Application and hearing process.

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