The Nova Scotia Human Rights Act | The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government

•Nova Scotia passed its first Human Rights Act in 1963, which consolidated the province's human rights legislations into a singular Act.
The Act was broadened significantly In 1991 after undergoing major revision.
The revised statute protected characteristics of Aboriginal origin, age, family status, irrational fear of contracting an illness (ex. HIV/AIDS), marital status, political affiliation, sex, pregnancy, sexual harrassment, and sex (sexual orientation).
The Act was amended further in 2012 to protect gender identity and gender expression.
The exhaustive list of protected characteristics include: age, race, colour, religion, creed, ethnic, national, or aboriginal origin, sex (including pregnancy and pay equity), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, family status, marital status, source of income, irrational fear of contracting an illness or disease (this ground is unique to Nova Scotia), association with protected groups or individuals, political belief, affiliation or activity, gender identity and gender expression.
The Act prohibits discrimination or harassment from taking place in areas of employment, housing (or other accommodations), services & facilities, purchase or sale of property, volunteer public service, publication/broadcasting or advertisement, membership in an association, or organization (professional, business, or trade).

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