Where to File Hiring Discrimination Complaints in Laval

Labor and Employment Quebec 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Quebec

If you believe you were refused a job in Laval because of a protected ground, you can file a complaint under Quebec human rights law or follow the City of Laval's internal complaint routes for municipal hiring. This guide explains the main public authorities that handle employment discrimination claims affecting applicants in Laval, Quebec, how to start a claim, typical remedies, and where to find official forms and contact points.

Start with the provincial human rights commission if the employer is governed by Quebec law.

Who handles hiring discrimination complaints

Two public pathways cover most hiring discrimination claims affecting applicants in Laval:

  • Provincial: the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse enforces the Quebec Charter and processes complaints about discrimination in employment; file a complaint with the Commission for non-federal employers[1].
  • Federal: if the employer is federally regulated (banks, air transport, telecommunications), file with the Canadian Human Rights Commission for federally governed employers[2].

How it applies to the City of Laval and other local employers

For hiring decisions by the City of Laval, municipal human resources or an internal inspector usually handle initial complaints; the Commission remains the independent route for alleged violations of the Charter. Contact the Ville de Laval human resources service to request an internal review or to obtain the Citys procedure for employment complaints.

Internal HR review and provincial complaint routes can be used in parallel, but follow any internal deadlines first.

Penalties & Enforcement

Remedies and enforcement differ by forum. The provincial Commission aims to stop discrimination and obtain remedies; the Charter and Commission processes provide civil remedies rather than fixed automatic fines for hiring discrimination.

  • Monetary fines or fixed penalties: not specified on the cited page for Charter enforcement; the Commission may seek damages or orders but fixed fine amounts are not listed on the cited page[1].
  • Escalation: the Commission may attempt conciliation and, if unresolved, proceed to formal action or refer for adjudication; specific escalation fee schedules or ranges are not specified on the cited page[1].
  • Non-monetary sanctions: possible orders to stop discriminatory practices, reinstatement or corrective measures; exact orders and limits are described in case decisions rather than as fixed penalties on the cited page[1].
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse receives complaints for Quebec-governed employers; the Canadian Human Rights Commission receives complaints for federal employers[1][2].
  • Appeals and review: timelines and appeal processes depend on the forum; specific statutory time limits for filing are not listed on the cited Charter page and should be confirmed on the Commission site[1].
  • Defences and discretion: employers may assert bona fide occupational requirements or other lawful defences; availability and limits of defences are case-specific and not summarized as fixed rules on the cited page[1].

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Refusal to hire for a protected ground (race, sex, disability): Commission remedies can include orders and damages; precise amounts are not specified on the cited page[1].
  • Discriminatory job ads or selection criteria: remedial orders and corrective measures may be imposed; amounts and timelines are determined case by case.
  • Harassment or systemic barriers in hiring processes: investigation, recommendations and orders are possible.

Applications & Forms

The Commission provides complaint forms or online filing instructions on its official site; the exact form names and downloadable PDFs should be accessed on the Commission page. For federal employers the Canadian Human Rights Commission has an online complaint intake. City of Laval internal procedures and any municipal forms are available from Ville de Laval human resources or the Citys website.

How to start a complaint in Laval

  1. Document the incident: dates, names, job posting, emails and witnesses.
  2. Contact the employers HR or hiring contact to request an internal review and preserve deadlines.
  3. If unresolved, determine jurisdiction: provincial (Quebec Charter) or federal (federally regulated employer).
  4. File a complaint with the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse for Quebec employers or with the Canadian Human Rights Commission for federal employers[1][2].
  5. Provide supporting documents to the Commission and participate in any conciliation or investigation.
  6. If the matter proceeds, follow adjudication or order enforcement steps as directed by the authority.

FAQ

Can I file a complaint against the City of Laval for hiring discrimination?
Yes. Start with the Citys human resources process and you can also file with the provincial Commission if the employer is governed by Quebec law.
Is there a time limit to file a discrimination complaint?
Specific statutory time limits are not listed on the cited Charter page; check the Commissions complaint intake guidance for precise deadlines[1].
What remedies can I expect?
Possible remedies include corrective orders, reinstatement or damages; fixed fine amounts are not specified on the cited page and outcomes vary case by case.

How-To

  1. Gather evidence: save job posting, correspondence and record names and dates.
  2. Ask HR for an internal review and note the response deadline.
  3. Decide jurisdiction: Quebec Commission for provincial employers or Canadian Human Rights Commission for federal employers.
  4. Complete the Commission complaint form or online intake and submit documents.
  5. Attend any conciliation or interviews requested by the Commission.
  6. If the Commission refers the case for adjudication, follow procedural directions and deadlines.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with the employers HR but file with the provincial Commission for legal remedies in Quebec.
  • Remedies vary; fixed fines are not specified on the cited Charter page and outcomes are case-specific.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (LegisQuebec)
  2. [2] Canadian Human Rights Commission - Complaints

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