What is the maximum age someone may receive preferential treatment under the Ontario Human Rights Code?

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, individuals are protected from discrimination based on various grounds, including age. The Code allows for preferential treatment in certain circumstances to promote the equality and inclusion of groups that may experience systemic barriers.

The maximum age for receiving preferential treatment is set at 65 years. This age is chosen as it aligns with common retirement age practices and acknowledges that older individuals often face unique challenges in the workforce and society. By establishing this threshold at 65, the law seeks to balance the need to combat age discrimination while fostering opportunities for older individuals to participate fully in all aspects of life, including employment and services.

While options proposing higher ages such as 70 or 75 suggest that preferential treatment could be extended to older demographics, they do not align with the stipulations of the Ontario Human Rights Code, which firmly establishes 65 as the maximum age. This regulatory framework ensures that older adults are recognized and supported without overly broadening the age range, which could complicate the purpose of preferential treatment.