This post contains links to resources to help individuals in Ontario defend their civil liberties against COVID-related violations.
Note that the resources or services listed below are all offered by organizations other than OCLA.
We will update the list below as new resources become available.
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)
You can file a complaint to the HRTO if your face mask exemption was not honoured by an Ontario store owner. The HRTO has staff who will answer your questions and give you information to help you in the process of preparing, filing, and pursuing your complaint.
More information from HRTO:
- “COVID-19 and Ontario’s Human Rights Code – Questions and Answers, 13. Can an employer, landlord, store, school, municipality or other organization require me to wear a mask because of COVID-19?” (Point 13 at the link here)
- The Human Rights Legal Support Centre gives legal assistance in filing applications at the HRTO, and legal representation at mediations and hearings
- The staff at HRTO will not give you any type of advice, but they will answer questions like “which form do I fill out?” or “has my claim been received?”
CRC Ontario Small Claims Court Filing Templates
The Constitutional Rights Centre (CRC) offers templates (for purchase) to help individuals sue store owners who have refused to honour mask exemptions. The CRC states that the templates are intended for self-represented plaintiffs, and that CRC does not offer any legal representation in these cases.
See the CRC’s website for details.
Stand Up Canada Legal Information Packages
Stand Up Canada offers legal information packages for individuals and businesses as follows:
- Represent Yourself in Small Claims Court (for businesses – damages due to lockdown measures)
- Represent Yourself in Provincial Offences Court (for businesses – tickets for staying open)
- Represent Yourself – Refusal of Mask Exemption (for individuals – tickets/employment issues)
See Stand Up Canada’s website for details.
