Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Protection applies in the areas covered by the Act, including employment, housing and services.
Sources checked September 29, 2026.
Protected sexual orientation
The Commission's current guidance describes sexual orientation in terms of sexual, physical and emotional attraction and relationships. Human-rights protection is not limited to one particular orientation.
Employment, housing and services
Discriminatory hiring or dismissal, refusal of housing, differential customer treatment and harassment can each raise human-rights questions when connected to sexual orientation.
Harassment
Unwelcome conduct connected to sexual orientation can fall within human-rights harassment protections. The protected-characteristic connection distinguishes it from general conflict.
Overlapping characteristics
Sexual orientation issues can intersect with sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, race, religion or other characteristics. The facts should identify the actual bases alleged rather than treating these protections as interchangeable.
Official sources
- Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission — protected characteristics and prohibited areas
- Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission — Inquiry Form and intake criteria
- Nova Scotia Legislature — Human Rights Act