All people
The Charter protects your fundamental rights and freedoms in all areas of life:
- employment
- housing
- public space
- contracts (insurance policies, leases, etc.)
The Charter also protects your rights in your private relationships, such as those with your:
- neighbours
- colleagues
- relatives (for example, your mother, father, brother, sister or cousin)
- teachers
The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms protects everyone in Québec
This means that it protects:
- adults and young people
- people who were born in Québec, other parts of Canada and abroad
- people who are visiting Québec (tourists, temporary workers)
This vidéo presents the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (French only)
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The rights and freedoms protected by the Charter
Fundamental rights and freedoms
Such as: the right to life, to personal security, integrity, inviolability and freedom.
Right to equality
Such as: the right to non-discrimination.
Political rights
Such as: the right to vote.
Legal rights
Such as: the right to be represented by a lawyer.
Economic and social rights
Such as: the right to free public education.
The Charter prohibits certain behaviour, such as:
- exploitation of elderly people and people with a disability
- reprisals for filing a complaint with the Commission
- discriminatory questions on employment application forms
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Know your rights: resources and tools
Thematic pages
Online tools
Organizations
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How can the Commission help enforce your rights?
The Commission can help you understand and defend your rights.
Providing information
We provide information about your rights and obligations:
- on our website
- by phone or by email (contact us)
If the Commission is unable to assist you, we will refer you to the organizations or institutions that can.
Defending you
We can accept and process your complaint:
• if you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment
• if you believe you have experienced exploitation
• if you have experienced reprisals because you filed a complaint with the Commission
Promoting your rights
• We can provide rights awareness activities and onsite training at your workplace, school or association.
• We provide online education and awareness tools.
• We can send you leaflets and brochures to distribute in your community and at events.
Our services are free of charge for everyone in Québec. You do not have to be a citizen or have a resident permit to qualify for protection under the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms Made Easy
This simplified and illustrated version of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms explains each section of the Charter in clear language and with the help of examples. The Charter Made Easy is available in:
- French (PDF, 6 Mo)
- English (PDF, 18 Mo)
- Spanish (PDF, 21 Mo)
- Arabic (PDF, 17 Mo)
- Kanien'kéha (PDF, 7 Mo)
- Inu-aimun (PDF, 8 Mo)
- Anicinape (PDF, 10 Mo)
- Cree (PDF, 8 Mo)
- Inuktitut (PDF, 18 Mo)
- Atikamekw (PDF, 13 Mo)
The Charter Made Easy is based on the version of the Charter in force in 2015.