On September 22, 2021, the same day the proof of COVID-19 vaccination policy came into effect in Ontario, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released a policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates, noting that “a person who chooses not to be vaccinated based on personal preference does not have the right to accommodation” under the Human Rights Code.
Specifically, the OHRC stated that “Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is voluntary. At the same time, the OHRC’s position is that a person who chooses not to be vaccinated based on personal preference does not have the right to accommodation under the Code. The OHRC is not aware of any tribunal or court decision that found a singular belief against vaccinations or masks amounted to a creed within the meaning of the Code,”. The OHRC noted that while the Code “prohibits discrimination based on creed, personal preferences or singular beliefs do not amount to a creed for the purposes of the Code.”
To read more about the policy, see the OHRC’s policy statement http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-policy-statement-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-proof-vaccine-certificates. You can also read more on the OHRCs Policy on preventing discrimination based on creed here http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-preventing-discrimination-based-creed
