Assumptions, stereotypes, and biases lead to discrimination.

Discrimination is not defined in the Code but, according to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, it usually includes the following elements:

• not individually assessing the unique merits, capacities, and circumstances of a person,
• instead, making stereotypical assumptions based on a person’s presumed traits, and
• having the impact of excluding persons, denying benefits or imposing burdens.

We will look at some examples in a moment, so keep these points in mind as you consider each one.