Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission
Northwest Territories Human Rights Act

Protected Grounds
Race, colour, ancestry, nationality, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, family affiliation, political belief, political association, social condition and a conviction that is subject to a pardon or record suspension.

Suggested Changes of the Act with Respect to Volunteers
From
Definitions 1. (1) In this Act,
“employment” includes a contractual relationship with an individual for the provision of services personally by the individual; (emploi).

To
Definitions 1. (1) In this Act,
“employment” includes a contractual relationship with an individual for the provision of services, paid or unpaid (volunteer), personally by the individual; (emploi).

Suggested Changes of the Act with Respect to Visible Identity
From
Employment 7
7. (1) No person shall, on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination,

(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ an individual or a class of individuals; or

(b) discriminate against any individual or class of individuals in regard to employment or any term or condition of employment.

To
Employment 7
7. (1) No person shall, on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination,

(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ an individual or a class of individuals; or

(b) discriminate against any individual or class of individuals in regard to employment or any term or condition of employment. or

(c) discriminate against any individual who wears symbolic items reflecting their individual identities based on a prohibited ground.

Suggested Petition
Information about Petitions
Whereas
The Human Rights of volunteers have been protected by legal practice it is essential that this protection be codified in the Northwest Territories Human Rights Act (NTHRA).

And Whereas
Diversity is not always visible, and it should be celebrated, not a target of hate, so protection is needed in the NTHRA for persons who’ choose to display their individual identities with respect to the protected grounds of the NTHRA, while employed or volunteering.

And Whereas
This is a complex issue and the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission is best suited to develop a working policy on implementation.

And Whereas
One should not be judged by their identities displayed rather by their actions as a volunteer or employee.

We the Undersigned Citizens of Northwest Territories request the Legislative Assembly to:

Amend the NTHRA to protect persons who volunteer.

AND

Amend the NTHRA to protect individuals who’s individual identities are based on the protected grounds of the NTHRA from removal, refusal, reassignment or retaliation, while choosing to wear symbolic items, that reflects their individual identities, while volunteering or employed..

Suggested Letter to Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly
Notes: Copy, paste and edit to your liking. MLA’s will prioritize responding from persons in their riding.

Dear Member of the Legislative Assembly Full Name.

The Human Rights of volunteers have been protected by legal practice. It is essential that this protection be codified in the Northwest Territories Human Rights Act (NTHRA).

Diversity is not always visible, and it should be celebrated, not a target of hate, so protection is needed in the NTHRA for persons who’ choose to display their individual Employment 7
7. (1) No person shall, on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination,

(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ an individual or a class of individuals; or

(b) discriminate against any individual or class of individuals in regard to employment or any term or condition of employment. or

(c) discriminate against any individual who wears symbolic items reflecting their individual identities based on a prohibited ground.with respect to the protected grounds of the NTHRA, while employed or volunteering.

This is a complex issue and the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission is best suited to develop a working policy on implementation.

One should not be judged by their identities displayed rather by their actions as a volunteer or employee.

Please consider the following amendments to the NTHRA as listed below.

In Solidarity.Your Full Name
Your Address
Your Telephone Number

Amendment 1. Under section 1. (1) in the definition of “employment” insert the text “paid or unpaid (volunteer), ” after the word “services,”

Resulting In
Definitions 1. (1) In this Act,
“employment” includes a contractual relationship with an individual for the provision of services, paid or unpaid (volunteer), personally by the individual; (emploi).

Amendment 2. Replace the final period in 7. (1)(b) with the text. “. or
(c) discriminate against any individual who wears an item reflecting their identity based on a prohibited ground.”

Resulting In
Employment 7
7. (1) No person shall, on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination,

(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ an individual or a class of individuals; or

(b) discriminate against any individual or class of individuals in regard to employment or any term or condition of employment. or

(c) discriminate against any individual who wears symbolic items reflecting their individual identities based on a prohibited ground.