What to do?
Contact the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse du Québec
(CDPDJ). The CDPDJ defends the human rights and freedoms protected in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. The CDPDJ can help you formulate your complaint in writing, and will handle it in accordance with our internal process. Please note that the CDPDJ may refuse to investigate a complaint filed more than 2 years after the event.
The CDPDJ can intervene in a number of ways:
– Offer the parties the opportunity to participate in an arbitration or mediation process;
– Suggest the application of appropriate remedial measures (such as discrimination awareness activities or monetary compensation);
– Take legal action on your behalf.
CDPDJ services are free and confidential.
What if the CDPDJ decides to close the file without acting on your complaint?
You can take legal action, at your own expense, before the civil courts or the Human Rights Tribunal (HRT ). Take the necessary steps as soon as possible after receiving notice that the file has been closed. You risk losing your recourse if too much time has elapsed since the events or since the file was closed. For example, you have 90 days to lodge an appeal with the TDP after the CDPDJ has notified you that the file has been closed.
It is advisable to consult a lawyer to guide you through this process.