Under Canadian law, which factor may protect an employee from being discriminated against in hiring?

In Canada, discrimination in hiring is prohibited under various laws, including the Canadian Human Rights Act and provincial human rights codes. These laws explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on certain enumerated grounds.

Disability is one of these protected grounds, meaning that an employer cannot discriminate against a candidate solely due to a physical or mental disability. This protection extends to hiring practices, where organizations are required to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have equal opportunities in the hiring process.

While other factors such as gender may also provide protections under Canadian law, disability is often highlighted due to the specific accommodations that may be necessary for an individual to participate fully in the application and selection process. Additionally, the legal framework surrounding disability encompasses not just the prohibition against discrimination but also the proactive requirement for employers to accommodate employees with disabilities as part of their duty to promote inclusivity in the workplace. This makes disability a particularly significant factor in discussions about protection from discrimination in hiring.