Age
The law may provide for a minimum age for certain rights, without discrimination. For example, you must be at least 18 years old to vote or buy alcohol.
A person cannot discriminate or harass you because of your age. The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms prohibits anyone to:
- treat you differently because of your age
- make offensive and repeated comments to you related to your age
- behave repeatedly in an offensive manner towards you in relation to your age
This video presents the topic of Age in American Sign Language (ASL)
Do you believe you are being discriminated against or harassed because of your age?
The Commission can help you recognize discrimination or harassment and take action to prevent or stop discriminatory behaviour.
Discrimination at work for being elderly
Nelson is 63 years old and has worked for the same company for 26 years. His human resources manager has been told to retire him, as he is the company’s oldest employee. But Nelson wants to continue working for a few more years. He is productive and does all the work he is asked to do, so the company cannot force him to leave. Nelson’s employer cannot force him to retire because of his age. This is discrimination on the basis of age.
Discrimination for being young
A campground owner asked Sophie and her friends, who were in their early twenties, to pay a $200 damage deposit. But Sophie’s parents have been going to the same campground for a long time and have never been asked to pay a deposit. The owner cannot treat Sophie and her friends differently because they are young. This is discrimination on the basis of age.
Did you know?
Québec abolished mandatory retirement in 1983. Your employer does not have the right to force you into retirement because you have reached retirement age or the number of years of service required for retirement.
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