Human Rights Act (Chapter 214 OF THE R.S. 1989)

The purpose of this Act is to (a) recognize the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family; (b) proclaim a common standard for achievement of basic human rights by all Nova Scotians; (c) recognize that human rights must be protected by the rule of law; (d) affirm the principle that every person is free and equal in dig nity and rights; (e) recognize that the government, all public agencies and all per sons in the Province have the responsibility to ensure that every individual in the Province is afforded an equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life and that failure to provide equality of opportunity threatens the status of all persons. Part 1 concerns discrimination; Meaning of discrimination; a person discriminates where the person makes a distinction, whether intentional or not, based on a characteristic, or per ceived characteristic, referred to in clauses (h) to (v) of subsection (1) of Section 5 (these include gender, race, ethnicity) that has the effect of imposing burdens, obligations or disadvantages on an individ ual or a class of individuals not imposed upon others or which withholds or limits access to opportunities, benefits and advantages available to other individuals or classes of individuals in society. Part 2 declares that the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission heretofore con stituted is continued and provides for its duties. The Commission is in charge of the administration of the Act and has power of investigation.