Annual report details work on federal laws on human rights, accessibility, employment and pay equity
In its recently published 2025 annual report to Parliament, the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) stressed the importance of affirming the human rights of people in Canada amid a particularly troubling time in the country’s history.
“The once-in-a-generation geopolitical and economic tensions, the troubling rise in hate, the record income inequality, and the mounting cost-of-living crisis have all placed Canada at an historic crossroads,” said Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, the CHRC’s chief commissioner, in a statement.
According to Malischewski, the CHRC’s work in 2025 included assisting in protecting the human rights of people in Canada pursuant to the authority of five federal laws, united under one federal human rights system.
“Respect for human rights must be one of those core values we fight for,” Malischewski said in the statement. “That is especially true in hard times.”
Malischewski shared that the commission made efforts last year to represent the public interest in significant human rights cases before the country’s courts and help Canadians better access justice and comprehend their rights.
“Across all our roles and responsibilities in 2025, we underscored that a stronger Canada is one where everyone feels that they belong -- in where they work, in their access to critical life services, and in the everyday moments where human rights matter most,” Malischewski said.
Malischewski shared that the CHRC’s work also included spotlighting new and emerging human rights issues and advocating for the rights to housing, equal and fair pay, freedom from discrimination, and a barrier-free Canada.
In the statement, Malischewski explained that the CHRC’s efforts aim to help the country stand out “as a leader among democratic nations, and as an example to the world.”
The annual report, tabled in the House of Commons and the Senate at the end of March, provided data regarding the CHRC’s activities from January to December 2025 across the following federal laws.
Canadian Human Rights Act, 1977
When 2025 began, the CHRC had more than 2,600 inquiries and potential complaints in its system and over 1,360 accepted complaints in its inventory.
As the year progressed, the commission:
- received more than 4,600 new inquiries and potential complaints, the highest in five years
- resolved and closed approximately 4,700 inquiries and possible complaints
- accepted over 960 new complaints that complied with the statutory requirements, including the most accepted discrimination complaints in five years
Among discrimination complaints, the CHRC successfully resolved 172 via mediation and referred 112 to the Tribunal.
The commissioners:
- rendered 629 final decisions among complaints in the CHRC’s inventory
- settled 205 complaints, representing a third of total decisions
- rendered 264 final decisions at the preliminary issues stages, comprising 42 percent of total decisions
- dismissed 48 complaints, making up eight percent of total decisions
- referred 112 complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for adjudication, representing 18 percent of total decisions
When 2025 ended, the commission had more than 3,790 inquiries and potential complaints in its system and over 2,190 accepted complaints in its inventory.
Employment Equity Act, 1995
In 2025, the CHRC launched six new employment equity audits of federally regulated employers in public and private sectors alike, which employed around 10,000 employees in all.
The commission issued nine final reports for audits commenced in 2022 across different public sector departments, including a Crown corporation. These reports covered organizations employing about 210,000 employees.
Pay Equity Act, 2018
For formal pay equity disputes, the CHRC received 30 in 2025 and resolved 12, with 10 withdrawn, one substantiated, and one dismissed.
Regarding authorization applications, the commission received 178 in 2025 and resolved 172, with 168 granted, two partly granted, and two denied.
For inquiries, the CHRC received 535 and resolved 531 in 2025.
Accessible Canada Act, 2019
For 2025, the CHRC completed approximately 222 inspections, received 518 inquiries, and received and resolved no complaints.
Apart from the four aforementioned federal laws, the commission also works under the National Housing Strategy Act, 2019.
