Issue - No Age Protection in Services

Note: this issue has largely been corrected as a result of amendments made to B.C.'s human rights legislation effective January 1, 2008. The information below, outlines our concerns prior to those amendments.

B.C.’s human rights legislation does not extend any protection against age discrimination in the provision of accommodations, facilities or services that are generally available to the public. B.C.’s blanket limitation in this area is not in keeping with other provinces.

Lack of Age Protection means:

Any accommodation, facility or service can deny or treat people differently based on their age. Admission, discharge, or eligibility criteria may often exclude people because of their age.

The planning and design of services may not consider unique characteristics or needs associated with age. Ageism exists when these needs are not considered.

Decisions as to public health care and funding levels for specific services may currently be based on something less than legitimate age-based criteria.

Age protections in this area would help assure that age based criteria are justified and that universal design incorporates age related needs.

Did you know:

B.C., Alberta, and Newfoundland are the only Canadian jurisdictions that offer no protection against age discrimination in accommodation, facilities or services generally available to the public.

Adding age protection would not jeopardize B.C.’s ability to preserve benefits afforded to seniors or youth. Nor would it jeopardize government’s ability to place legitimate limitations on minors in areas such as alcohol consumption or driver licensing regulations. 11 other Canadian jurisdictions have overcome similar problems by including specific terms that either exempt special programs or defer legitimate matters to laws where age limitations are set out.

Age discrimination has the same economic, social and psychological impact on individuals as any other form of discrimination.

A survey of complaint statistics shows that individuals across Canada seek recourse for age discrimination when it occurs in this area. There is no evidence to suggest that these claims drain resources away from other important areas. British Columbians deserve to be on equal footing with others and they deserve full and free participation in the economic, social, political and cultural life of B.C.

To learn more about this issue:

Policy on Discrimination against Older Persons because of Age

Ontario Human Rights Commission

Discrimination and Age - Human Rights Issues Facing Older Persons in Ontario

A discussion paper prepared by the Ontario Human Rights Comission to identify trends and critical issues related to age, and to make policy and related recommendations to promote the human rights of older persons.

National Advisory Council on Ageing