How to File an HRTO Complaint | Human Rights Tribunal Ontario Guide with Quorex

What Is the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)?

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) is an independent adjudicative body that resolves claims of discrimination and harassment under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Unlike criminal courts, the HRTO focuses on restoring individuals whose rights have been violated — through monetary compensation, policy changes, and orders requiring the respondent to stop discriminatory behaviour.

The HRTO handles thousands of applications each year covering discrimination in employment, housing, services, contracts, and union membership. Filing is free, and many applicants represent themselves.

Protected Grounds Under the Ontario Human Rights Code

The Code protects against discrimination based on 17 grounds in five social areas. Understanding which ground applies to your situation is essential to your application:

• Race, colour, ancestry, ethnic origin, place of origin, citizenship: Includes racial profiling, stereotyping, and systemic barriers
• Creed (religion): Includes religious accommodation in the workplace and services
• Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression: Covers sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and gender-based pay gaps
• Disability: Physical, mental, learning disabilities, and addiction — employers and service providers must accommodate to the point of undue hardship
• Age: Protection varies by social area (18+ in housing, 18-65 in employment)
• Family status and marital status: Includes caregiving responsibilities and discrimination against single parents
• Receipt of public assistance: Protected in housing only

How to Complete HRTO Form 1 and Schedule A

Form 1 is the application that initiates your complaint. Schedule A is where you tell your story — it's the most important part of your application. Here's how to approach each section:

Form 1: Application

• Section 1-3: Your personal information and the respondent's contact details (employer, landlord, or service provider)
• Section 4: The social area (employment, housing, services, contracts, or vocational association)
• Section 5: The protected ground(s) — you can cite multiple grounds
• Section 6: The remedy you're seeking (compensation, policy changes, reinstatement, apology)

Schedule A: Your Narrative

This is the core of your application. Write a clear, chronological account of what happened. For each incident, include:

1. The exact date (or approximate date range)
2. Who was involved (names and roles)
3. What was said or done
4. How it connects to the protected ground
5. How it affected you (emotional, financial, career impact)

The HRTO Process: From Filing to Decision

After filing your application, the process follows these stages:

1. Confirmation (1-2 weeks): The HRTO reviews your application for completeness and confirms it meets the threshold for processing
2. Response — Form 2 (35 days): The respondent has 35 days to file Form 2, setting out their defence
3. Reply (14 days): You may file a reply to new issues raised in the response
4. Mediation (optional): Both parties can consent to mediation with an HRTO mediator and try to agree on a settlement.
5. Hearing: If mediation fails or is declined, the case proceeds to a hearing where both sides present evidence and arguments
6. Decision: The adjudicator issues a written decision, typically within 2-4 months after the hearing

What the HRTO Can Order

If the Tribunal finds that your rights under the Code were infringed, it can make one or more of these orders (Human Rights Code, s. 45.2). What it orders, and any amount, depends on the facts it finds.

• Compensation: Money for loss caused by the infringement, such as lost wages, including compensation for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect
• Restitution other than money: Making up for the loss in another way
• Orders to comply with the Code: An order that a party do what the Tribunal considers it ought to do to comply with the Code, which can include changing future practices such as policies or training. The Tribunal can make this order even if you did not ask for it

Tips for Self-Represented Applicants

• Focus your Schedule A on facts, not emotions — let the facts speak
• Keep a detailed timeline from the very first incident
• Save all communications (emails, texts, voicemails) — screenshot and date them
• Request workplace policies or records through an access-to-information request if denied internally
• Contact the Human Rights Legal Support Centre for free legal advice — they can help with your application at no cost

HRTO Help by City

• HRTO Help — Toronto
• HRTO Help — Ottawa

Read our complete Ontario Human Rights Guide →