Protected Grounds in Ontario Practice Questions

Question 1 of 5

A registrant is working with a transgender client who is purchasing a home. The client's legal name on their identification differs from their preferred name. During the transaction, the lender, lawyer, and other parties will need to use the client's legal name on official documents. How should the registrant handle this situation?

• AUse only the legal name throughout all interactions since that is what appears on identification
• BUse the client's preferred name in all personal interactions and communications, use the legal name only where legally required on official documents, and proactively ensure other parties in the transaction treat the client with respect and use their preferred name
• CAsk the client to change their legal name before proceeding with the transaction to avoid confusion, as the applicable regulatory framework and industry practices establish the standards and procedures that govern how this type of matter is addressed in Ontario real estate
• DRefer the client to another registrant who has more experience with transgender clients

Question 2 of 5

A client whose primary language is Farsi struggles to understand a complex Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Registrant Elena does not speak Farsi. Which approach BEST addresses the language barrier while ensuring informed consent?

• AHave another client who speaks Farsi translate informally real estate
• BTell the client to sign and deal with any issues later
• CRecommend the client retain a Farsi-speaking lawyer to review the agreement, offer to arrange professional interpretation for the explanation session, and document that interpretation services were offered — this protects the client's right to understand the documents they are signing
• DSimplify the document by removing complex clauses, given that registrant cannot modify a legal document by removing clauses

Question 3 of 5

A prospective tenant discloses during the application process that they have schizophrenia and are stabilized on medication. The landlord tells registrant Keiko that they do not want to rent to 'someone like that' due to safety concerns. What should Keiko do?

• AFollow the landlord's instruction, as safety concerns are legitimate
• BSuggest the landlord interview the tenant to assess their behaviour before deciding
• CAsk the tenant for medical clearance from their psychiatrist
• DRefuse the discriminatory instruction and inform the landlord that mental health is a protected disability under the Code — stereotypical assumptions about dangerousness based on a psychiatric diagnosis do not constitute a legitimate safety concern and are precisely the type of discrimination the Code prohibits

Question 4 of 5

How does the Ontario Human Rights Code apply differently to rental transactions versus sale transactions?

• AThe Code applies only to rentals, not sales, since code's housing provisions cover all housing transactions, including purchases, under the Human Rights Code provisions that establish protected grounds, accommodation duties, and complaint procedures applicable to real estate transactions in Ontario
• BSales transactions are exempt because the buyer is acquiring an asset, not receiving a service, based on the principles of non-discrimination and equal treatment that apply to all aspects of real estate services including property showings, representation, and negotiations
• CThe Code applies to both — s. 2(1) covers the right to equal treatment with respect to 'occupancy of accommodation,' which includes both rental and ownership housing; however, the 'receipt of public assistance' ground applies only in housing (rental and purchase), not in employment or services
• DThe Code applies to sales only if the property is new construction, under the Human Rights Code provisions that establish protected grounds, accommodation duties, and complaint procedures applicable to real estate transactions in Ontario

Question 5 of 5

A landlord refuses to rent to a single woman, stating 'I only rent to married couples for stability.' Which protected grounds are engaged?

• AOnly sex, on the basis that while sex is engaged, marital status is the more directly violated ground
• BOnly marital status
• CNo grounds — the landlord is simply seeking stable tenants, noting that 'seeking stability' through marital status preferences is discriminatory
• DMarital status and sex — the refusal discriminates based on marital status (preferring married persons over single persons) and sex (applying assumptions about stability to a woman that may not be applied to a single man)