⚖️ Petition to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA)
Extend federal human rights protections to volunteers, interns, co-op students, and trainees.
Across Canada, millions of people contribute unpaid work every year. Volunteers, interns, co-op students, trainees, and others in practical placements often take on real responsibilities and face the same risks of discrimination or harassment as paid workers.
However, because their work is unpaid, they may not have clear recourse under the current Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) when discrimination or harassment occurs.
This petition calls on Parliament to amend the CHRA so that unpaid workers are clearly protected, ensuring dignity, safety, and fairness for all who contribute their time and labour under federal jurisdiction.
Sign the Official House of Commons E-Petition
★ Please sign the petition by February 17, 2026.
Petition link:
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-6948
**Important Note**
To sign this petition, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you must confirm your signature by email for it to count. To sign the official House of Commons e-petition, each person must sign using their own email address (No minimum age required to sign).
Why This Matters
Unpaid workers:
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support essential community services
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gain experience that shapes careers
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work beside paid staff in the same environments
Yet when discrimination or harassment happens, their unpaid status can leave them outside federal human rights protections — creating a real protection gap.
Updating the CHRA would:
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recognize the value of unpaid contributions
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provide clear access to human rights recourse
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strengthen the safety of workplaces and learning environments
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modernize Canadian human rights to reflect today’s realities
Who This Helps
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Volunteers
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Interns and co-op students
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Trainees and learners in professional placements
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Organizations aiming to provide safe, ethical environments for unpaid contributors
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Anyone working without pay under federal jurisdiction
Note:
The Canadian Human Rights Act applies only to federally regulated organizations — such as national political parties, federal agencies, banks, airlines, telecom companies, postal/mail services, and interprovincial transport.
This petition focuses on unpaid workers in those federal settings, so they can access human-rights protections equal to those of paid employees.
Short List of Federally Regulated Sectors With Examples of Unpaid Workers
1. Banking (Chartered Banks)
RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC — Interns, co-op students, trainees
2. Telecommunications & Broadcasting
Rogers, Bell, TELUS, CBC/Radio-Canada — Media interns, production trainees, student placements
3. Air Transportation (Airlines & Airports)
Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, GTAA Pearson — Airport volunteers, co-ops, administrative/IT interns
4. Rail Transportation (Interprovincial Rail)
VIA Rail, CN, CP — Engineering co-ops, IT interns, administrative trainees
5. Postal & Courier Services
Canada Post, Purolator — Administrative interns, IT co-op students
6. Federal Crown Corporations & Agencies
CRA, Service Canada, CBSA, Elections Canada — Student trainees, practicum placements, co-op students
7. National Political Parties
Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green, Bloc, PPC — Grassroots volunteers (campaigns, events, administration)
How You Can Help
Please sign the petition and share the link with other Canadians and residents to help raise awareness and support stronger human rights protections for unpaid workers.
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-6948
**Important Note**
To sign this petition, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you must confirm your signature by email for it to count. To sign the official House of Commons e-petition, each person must sign using their own email address (No minimum age required to sign).
Contact
For more information :