Barrie Housing Discrimination Rights - Bylaws & Remedies

Barrie, Ontario residents facing housing discrimination have rights under provincial human rights law and local municipal enforcement channels. This guide explains where to report suspected discrimination in housing, how municipal bylaws and provincial tribunals interact, and the practical steps Barrie residents can take to seek remedies or file complaints.

Overview of Applicable Law

Housing discrimination in Barrie is primarily addressed through the Ontario Human Rights Code and adjudicated at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario; municipal bylaws apply to property standards, licensing and building safety but do not replace provincial human rights protections. For local enforcement of property standards and bylaw compliance see the City of Barrie By-law Enforcement page ^[1]. For tribunal processes and remedies see the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ^[2] and the Ontario Human Rights Commission ^[3].

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties and remedies depend on the legal route:

• Human Rights remedies: the HRTO may order remedies including monetary compensation for injury to dignity, damages for lost housing or income, and orders to cease discriminatory practices; specific amounts are determined case-by-case and are not set as fixed municipal fines on the cited tribunal pages. ^[2]
• Municipal enforcement: City of Barrie bylaws (property standards, licensing) provide compliance orders and potential administrative fines or prosecution; specific fine amounts for housing-discrimination-related bylaw violations are not specified on the cited municipal pages. ^[1]
• Residential tenancy enforcement: issues tied to tenancy (eviction, maintenance) are addressed under provincial tenancy rules and Landlord and Tenant Board processes; monetary outcomes vary and specific standard fines are not published on the cited province pages used here. ^[3]

Escalation and repeat offences:

• If a respondent ignores an HRTO order or a municipal order, the matter can be returned to the tribunal or prosecuted in court; the cited pages describe enforcement routes but do not list stepwise monetary escalation tables.
• Municipal continued non-compliance may lead to prosecution and court fines or orders; amounts are not specified on the municipal pages cited.

Applications & Forms

How to start a complaint or application:

• Human Rights application: file an application with the HRTO using their online forms and filing instructions; fees and form names are provided on the HRTO site. ^[2]
• Municipal complaints: submit a bylaw or property standards complaint through the City of Barrie By-law Enforcement intake methods listed on the city page. ^[1]

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

• Refusal to rent or sell based on protected grounds (race, disability, family status): may lead to HRTO orders for compensation and corrective measures.
• Failure to accommodate disability-related needs in housing: HRTO may order accommodation, modifications or compensation.
• Unsafe or non-compliant rental housing tied to property standards: municipal orders to repair or demolish, with prosecution possible for non-compliance.

How to File a Complaint

1. Document the incident: keep dates, names, communications and evidence such as texts, emails or photos.
2. Contact the City of Barrie By-law Enforcement for property or licensing concerns and use their complaint intake if the issue involves municipal code compliance. ^[1]
3. For discrimination claims based on protected grounds, file an application with the HRTO following the instructions on their site. ^[2]
4. Consider parallel tenancy remedies through provincial tenancy resources if the issue involves eviction or rent matters; consult provincial pages or legal clinics for deadlines and forms. ^[3]

FAQ

Can the City of Barrie fine a landlord for refusing to rent based on a protected ground?

The City enforces property standards and licensing; discrimination claims under protected grounds are addressed through the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Municipal pages do not specify fixed fines for discrimination itself. ^[1][2]

How long do I have to file a human rights application?

Time limits and filing rules are set by the HRTO and described on the tribunal site; if a specific limitation period is not shown on the cited page, it is "not specified on the cited page" and you should consult the HRTO page for current deadlines. ^[2]

Who investigates unsafe rental housing in Barrie?

City of Barrie By-law Enforcement investigates property standards and safety complaints; submit a complaint through the city’s intake methods. ^[1]

How-To

How to report suspected housing discrimination in Barrie (step-by-step):

1. Collect evidence: dates, messages, photos and witness names.
2. Contact the landlord or property manager in writing requesting resolution and keep copies.
3. File a municipal complaint with City of Barrie By-law Enforcement if the issue is a property standards or licensing concern. ^[1]
4. File an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario for discrimination under the Human Rights Code. ^[2]
5. If tenancy issues apply, consult provincial tenancy resources or the Landlord and Tenant Board for eviction or rent disputes. ^[3]

Key Takeaways

• Use HRTO for discrimination claims and City of Barrie bylaws for property and safety enforcement.
• Document incidents carefully and follow both municipal and provincial complaint routes when appropriate.

Help and Support / Resources

• City of Barrie - By-law Enforcement
• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)
• Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (e-Laws)

1. [1] City of Barrie - By-law Enforcement
2. [2] Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
3. [3] Ontario Human Rights Commission