Which of the following sections of the Ontario Human Rights Code allows handicap exceptions for essential duties?

The provision within the Ontario Human Rights Code that addresses handicap exceptions for essential duties is indeed found in Section 17. This section specifically outlines that an employer or service provider is not discriminating against a person with disabilities when they are unable to perform essential duties of the job, or where an accommodation would create undue hardship to the employer or service provider.

Section 17 is critical because it establishes a framework for balancing the rights of individuals with disabilities against the operational requirements of businesses and service providers. It recognizes that while efforts should be made to accommodate individuals with disabilities, there are practical limits to those accommodations based on the essential functions of a role or the impact on the broader operational integrity of the organization.

The other sections mentioned are relevant to different aspects of discrimination and human rights but do not specifically address the issue of handicap exceptions in the context of essential job duties. Section 20 deals with the definitions of key terms in the code, Section 24 pertains to the right to equal treatment in the provision of goods and services, and Section 25 concerns the regulation of special programs aimed at improving the conditions of disadvantaged groups. Therefore, understanding Section 17 is essential for recognizing how the law accommodates individuals with disabilities while also acknowledging the essential functions of jobs.