HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO
B E T W E E N:
Rafiqul Islam
Applicant
-and-
Helrit Investments Ltd. and Trevi Contractors Ltd.
Respondents
DECISION
Adjudicator: Mary Truemner
Indexed as: Islam v. Helrit Investments Ltd.
1This is an Application under s. 34 of the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as amended (the “Code”). The applicant alleges that he was discriminated with respect to accommodation on the basis of place of origin and citizenship.
2The parties entered into an agreement (“Minutes of Settlement”) dated March 6, 2013, and, on the same day, filed a Form 25 which requests that the Tribunal issue an Order under s. 45.9 (2) of the Code.
3Pursuant to s. 45.9 (2) and on the joint request of the parties, the Tribunal makes the following Final Order in this Application:
The parties shall issue a joint statement, to be released to the media, which states the following:
Toronto – March 6, 2013
A human rights matter was settled today involving allegations that the respondents required him to pay 12 months rent in advance for his apartment.
“Helrit Investments Inc and Trevi Contractors Limited regret that one of our tenants believed he had to pay twelve months rent in advance because he was a newcomer to Canada. We know the law – it is discriminatory, and illegal under the Residential Tenancy Act,” said Dina Krznaric of Helrit. “We do not have any policy in place that would require such a payment and which would contravene the Human Rights Code.”
Mr. Rafiqul Islam had brought a human rights application forward. Having recently arrived from Bangladesh, he found many landlords had asked for twelve months rent in advance because he was a newcomer. “I am glad that I brought this forward and I encourage others to assert their rights.”
“Discriminating against people as they are starting to build a new life in this country is most certainly not something our company promotes,” continued Dina Krznaric of Helrit. “We welcome tenants from all over the world to our properties, and recognize that recent immigrants have the full protection of the law. In the spirit of moving forward, we have committed to create and distribute a policy to all of our portfolio to clarify the law, and will ensure all staff understand their obligations under the Human Rights Code,” continued Dina Krznaric.
“While we appreciate Helrit’s cooperation, this remains a widespread practice in Ontario and one that must be addressed in a larger way,” said Bruce Best, Counsel for Mr. Islam from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.
4The Tribunal’s file shall be closed.
Dated at Toronto, this 7th day of March, 2013.
“Signed by”
Mary Truemner
Vice-chair