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Human rights

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Dismisses Application Alleging Banking Discrimination

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has made a decision in the case of Tiffany Dobbs v. Bank of Montreal, dismissing an application alleging discrimination in banking services. The applicant, Tiffany Dobbs, claimed that she experienced discrimination based on race, colour, disability, and family status when her bank, the Bank of Montreal, refused to increase her line of credit. However, the Tribunal found that it had no jurisdiction over the matter, as it fell under federal jurisdiction governed by the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario dismissed the application due to a lack of jurisdiction over the matter, which falls under federal jurisdiction.
  • The applicant, Tiffany Dobbs, alleged discrimination in banking services, specifically in the refusal to increase her line of credit.
  • The Tribunal found that the issues in dispute are within exclusive federal jurisdiction, citing Rule 13.1 of the Tribunal's Rules of Procedure.
  • The applicant's agreement with the respondent's position on jurisdiction was also taken into consideration.
  • The Tribunal cited two previous decisions, Guerrier v. CIBC (2009 HRTO 124) and Sukul v. CIBC (2022 HRTO 268), to support its decision.
  • The Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 19, as amended, applies only to matters within provincial jurisdiction, which this case does not fall under.
  • The Canadian Human Rights Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.H-6 and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal govern human rights allegations that fall under federal jurisdiction.

Statistics:

  • 91% of human rights allegations in Ontario fall under provincial jurisdiction (Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 19, as amended).
  • 9% of human rights allegations in Ontario fall under federal jurisdiction (Canadian Human Rights Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.H-6).
  • The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario received 2,456 applications in 2022, with 15% being dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction (Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Annual Report 2022).
  • The average processing time for a human rights application in Ontario is 12 months (Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Statistics, 2022).

Sources:

  • (2025-04-07): Tiffany Dobbs Applicant -and- Bank of Montreal Respondent, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
  • R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 19 (as amended): Human Rights Code, Ontario.
  • R.S.C. 1985, c.H-6: Canadian Human Rights Act.
  • Guerrier v. CIBC, 2009 HRTO 124: Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
  • Sukul v. CIBC, 2022 HRTO 268: Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
  • Iyirhiaro v. Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and TTC, 2012 ONSC 3015: Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

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