Yukon Human Rights Commission

The Commission will be closed for one day on February 10, 2026 for staff's professional development.

This February, the Yukon Human Rights Commission recognizes Black History Month. We honour the rich history and vital contributions of Black Yukoners.

Human rights are the foundation to a just and fair society. In the Yukon, it is discrimination to treat someone unfavourably based on their race, ancestry, colour, national origin, and ethnic or linguistic background.

Office Closure Notice | Avis de Fermeture de Bureau ❄

On December 10th we mark International Human Rights Day to honour the United Nations adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. The 2025 theme is “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials” to reaffirm the values of human rights and how they impact our everyday lives. Often, human rights and freedoms are taken for granted. Human rights are not abstract ideas, but are necessary elements for a secure and dignified existence.

Human rights are POSITIVE. They protect and also bring joy and safety to our daily lives.

Human rights are ESSENTIAL. We all share them, they unite us across differences of race, gender, belief, or background. Human rights are an everyday constant.

Human rights are ATTAINABLE. They begin with us, in the everyday choices we make, in treating others with respect, in listening to those whose voices are often ignored and speaking up. Our everyday choices can build a culture of dignity and fairness, and depend on collective action.

On December 10, 2025, we celebrate International Human Rights Day. The Yukon Human Rights Commission was created in 1987 with the mandate to promote equality and diversity through research and education, and to uphold Yukon Human Rights Act.

Please join us for our Lunch & Learn to learn more about international human rights day, human rights in the Yukon, and the Commission’s work!

Wednesday, December 10
Human Rights Learning Centre (2nd Floor), 305 Main Street

Light lunch provided.

RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, December 5

With this letter, the Director of the Yukon Human Rights Commission is responding to the Ombudsman, the public the Commission serves, and the powers whose decisions determine whether human rights are upheld or undermined in the territory.

Eighty-two human rights complaints were filed with the Commission between September 2018 and November 2020. Three of those complaints would become the basis of the Ombudsman’s August 2024 Investigation Report into the Commission’s processes. Information about those complaints can be found in our initial response on the Commission's website: https://yukonhumanrights.ca/.../the-ombudsmans-report-on.../.

The Commission has successfully implemented two of the five recommendations made to us in the Investigation Report. The remaining three are constrained only by capacity and resources. The Commission will persist but real progress needs change to the structures it operates within. The three recommendations made to the Department of Justice as a separate authority have not been implemented to the knowledge of us at the Commission. The Yukon Human Rights Act and Regulations remain unchanged, and the Commission continues to receive inadequate resources through a problematic funding approach. Complaint timelines continue to increase.
The Commission respectfully requests that the Ombudsman maintain his advocacy for these changes and urge action on the part of the Department of Justice.

This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visit the Commission's website for more information on the Yukon Human Rights Act and human rights law in Yukon. For questions about a specific situation, please contact the Commission to book an appointment. 🏡

Reminder that the Commission's office is closed today! Please email [email protected] if you wish to contact us and we will endeavor to get back to you as soon as we are able.

Curious about what changes the Yukon human Rights Commission requested the Government of Yukon make to the Yukon Human Rights Act? Want to share your opinion about those proposed changes? Complete the survey by May 10, 2025!

surveys.yukon.ca

Yukoners have until May 10, 2025 to share their thoughts about the changes the Yukon Human Rights Commission's requested the Government of Yukon make to the territory's Human Rights Act 📜.

Public feedback on the Commission's requested changes to the Yukon Human Rights Act will help the Government of Yukon to understand how Yukoners may be affected by these proposed changes and decide whether to pursue the recommended changes or pursue other amendments.

Survey link: https://surveys.yukon.ca/S2/1/HumanRightsAct

Yukoners have until MAY 10, 2025 to share their thoughts with the Government of Yukon on the proposed improvements to the Human Rights Act, which will enable the Act to be more consistent with similar laws in other provinces and territories.

To learn more, visit:
https://yukon.ca/en/news/government-yukon-seeks-public-input-improvements-human-rights-act
To access the survey, visit:
https://surveys.yukon.ca/S2/1/HumanRightsAct