Short answer: If you have been a victim of discrimination, discriminatory harassment or exploitation, you can file a complaint free of charge at the Commission for Human Rights and Youth Rights (CDPDJ). You have three years After the incident, you can file a complaint. The complaint is submitted in writing, using the online form, and you can do it yourself or ask an organization like LAKAY for help. The rest of this guide explains what the Commission can handle, how to file, what happens next, the deadlines, and mistakes to avoid.

What the CDPDJ can process

The CDPDJ ensures compliance with the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms of Quebec. It can intervene when you are treated in a discriminatory manner in an area covered by the Charter, such as employment, housing, or access to goods and services offered to the public (businesses, transportation, government services, schools).

For there to be discrimination within the meaning of the Charter, the unfair treatment must be linked to a prohibited reason race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, age, political beliefs, language, social condition or disability.

Some concrete examples: an employer who refuses to hire you or who fires you because of your origin; a landlord who refuses to rent you accommodation because of your name or skin color; a business or public service that treats you differently; or repeated discriminatory harassment.

The CDPDJ also protects the rights of children and adolescents in the care of youth protection services — but this is a separate process.

The steps, in order

  1. Check that your situation falls within the framework. Ask yourself: Has there been adverse treatment? Is it related to one of the grounds prohibited by the Charter? Did it occur in a covered area (employment, housing, public services)? If so, you're probably in the right place. If you're unsure, a Commission staff member—or a support organization—can help clarify the situation.

  2. Gather your evidence and your story. Record the facts in order: dates, locations, people involved, what was said and done. Keep all relevant documents (emails, messages, contracts, notices, housing or job postings, names of witnesses).

  3. Fill out the complaint form. The complaint must be made in writing, You can submit your complaint using the Commission's online form. You can submit it yourself, or ask a rights organization to do it for you. A Commission staff member can also help you complete it.

  4. The Commission analyzes the admissibility. She verifies that the complaint falls within her jurisdiction and respects the deadline.

  5. The investigation. The Commission conducts an impartial (non-adversarial) investigation: it gathers your version of events, that of the party involved, and the evidence. It may propose an amicable settlement between the parties (mediation).

  6. The decision. If the Commission deems the complaint justified, it may propose remedial measures. If these measures are not implemented, it may refer the case to the Human Rights Tribunal, which has the power to make an enforceable decision. In racial profiling cases, the Commission prefers to bring the matter before this tribunal on its merits, even without the cooperation of the party involved during the investigation stage.

The deadlines and the necessary documents

  • Deadline for filing: three years from the date of the incident. After this period, the complaint may be rejected.
  • Processing time: on average 15 months for a complaint of discrimination, harassment or exploitation. It is a useful recourse, but it requires patience; document your case thoroughly from the outset.
  • Documents and items to prepare:
    • a written, clear and chronological account;
    • relevant emails, texts, letters or messages;
    • contracts, notices, pay slips, housing or job advertisements;
    • any evidence of different treatment (for example, accommodation said to be "rented" to you and "available" to another person);
    • the name and contact details of the witnesses;
    • a medical or psychological report if the situation has had consequences for your health.

What repairs can you get?

If your complaint is deemed founded, the Commission—or the Human Rights Tribunal—may order various measures depending on the situation. These may include the cessation of discriminatory behaviour, requiring the perpetrator to take concrete action (for example, offering you the denied housing or employment, or changing a practice), awarding compensation for moral and material harm suffered, and sometimes punitive damages when the violation of rights is intentional.

The goal is not only to obtain compensation, but also to stop discriminatory practices and, in some cases, to raise awareness of a broader problem. Decisions in profiling and discrimination cases help to change the practices of employers, landlords, and institutions. Therefore, your case can have an impact that extends beyond your personal situation.

However, it's important to have realistic expectations regarding timelines and the fact that a complaint must be supported by evidence. This is why the quality of your case from the outset makes a significant difference—and why it's worthwhile to seek legal assistance.

How to contact the CDPDJ

  • Complaint form and information: cdpdj.qc.ca
  • The Commission offers a secure document transmission service and a detailed frequently asked questions section on its website.
  • A member of the Commission can help you formulate your complaint.

What not to do

  • Do not exceed the three-year period. That's the first thing to check. A solid case submitted too late will be useless.
  • Don't rely solely on your memory. Write everything down quickly, while the details are still fresh. A well-documented case from the outset carries significant weight, especially since the investigation can last for more than a year.
  • Don't confuse the legal options. The CDPDJ handles discrimination based on a prohibited ground. A simple contractual dispute, a consumer dispute, or a labor conflict unrelated to a prohibited ground falls under the jurisdiction of other bodies. If in doubt, seek legal counsel.
  • Don't give up because of the length of the process. The average wait of 15 months discourages many. You can, in parallel, pursue other, faster legal avenues (for example, the school procedure for a school-related case, or a complaint to the ethics committee for a police-related case).
  • Don't remain alone with the feeling that "it won't do any good". Every documented complaint counts, both for your case and for recognizing a systemic problem.

LAKAY can assist you

The Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission (CDPDJ) allows a human rights organization to file a complaint on your behalf—and that's exactly the kind of support LAKAY can offer. We provide free and confidential support to immigrants and racialized people in Repentigny and Lanaudière. We can help you determine if your situation falls under the Commission's jurisdiction, build a strong case, complete the application, and support you throughout the entire process.

LAKAY
818 Notre-Dame Street, Suite 202, Repentigny, Quebec
Telephone: 514 532-0484
Website: lakaymedia.org
Facebook: facebook.com/lakayrepentigny

Request our rights support service.

This guide provides general information on the law in force in Quebec. It does not replace legal advice tailored to your specific situation. For advice on a specific case, consult a lawyer or contact LAKAY.