Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal
Nunavut Human Rights Act

Protected Gounds
Prohibited grounds of discrimination 7. (1)
Race, colour, ancestry, ethnic origin, citizenship, place of origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, lawful source of income and a conviction for which a pardon has been granted.

Suggested Changes of the Act with Respect to Volunteers
From
Interpretation 1. In this Act
“employment” includes work that is paid or unpaid and “employ” has a corresponding meaning; (emploi, employer).

To
Interpretation 1. In this Act
“employment” includes work that is paid or unpaid (volunteer) and “employ” has a corresponding meaning; (emploi, employer).

Suggested Changes of the Act with Respect to Visible Identity
From
Employment 9. (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, whether the term or condition was prior to or is subsequent to the employment.

To
Employment 9. (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, whether the term or condition was prior to or is subsequent to the employment.

(c) remove, refuse or reassign an employee who wears symbolic items reflecting their individual identities based on the Prohibited grounds of discrimination 7. (1).

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 Nunavut Human Rights Act (NHRA).

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

And Whereas
This is a complex issue and the Nunavut 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 Nunavut request the Legislative Assembly to:

Amend the NHRA to protect persons who volunteer.

AND

Amend the NHRA to protect individuals who’s individual identities are based on the protected grounds of the NHRA fromremoval, 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 Nunavut 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 Nunavut Human Rights Act (NHRA).

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

This is a complex issue and the Nunavut 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 NHRA as listed below.

In Solidarity.
Your Full Name
Your Address
Your Telephone Number

Amendment 1 Insert the text “( volunteer)” after the word “unpaid” in the definition of “employment:” in section 1 Interpretation,

Resulting In
Interpretation 1. In this Act
“employment” includes work that is paid or unpaid (volunteer) and “employ” has a corresponding meaning; (emploi, employer) .

Amendment 2 Append the text “(c) remove, refuse or reassign an employee who wears an item reflecting their individual identity based on the Prohibited grounds of discrimination 7. (1).” in section 9(1) after subsection (c).

Resulting In
Employment 9. (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, whether the term or condition was prior to or is subsequent to the employment.

(c) remove, refuse or reassign an employee who wears symbolic items reflecting their individual identities based on the Prohibited grounds of discrimination 7. (1).