Bill C-445

1st Session, 41st Parliament,

60-61 Elizabeth II, 2011-2012

house of commons of canada

BILL C-445

An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (genetic characteristics)

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT

1. Section 2 of the Canadian Human Rights Act is replaced by the following:

2. The purpose of this Act is to extend the laws in Canada to give effect, within the purview of matters coming within the legislative authority of Parliament, to the principle that all individuals should have an opportunity equal with other individuals to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have and to have their needs accommodated, consistent with their duties and obligations as members of society, without being hindered in or prevented from doing so by discriminatory practices based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, marital status, family status, disability or conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.

2. Subsection 3(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

3. (1) For all purposes of this Act, the prohibited grounds of discrimination are race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, marital status, family status, disability and conviction for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.

COMING INTO FORCE

3. This Act comes into force 30 days after the day on which it receives royal assent.