Glossary
In Migrant workers, Immigration Law, Income Assistance, Refugee Law
A permanent resident is someone who has the right to live permanently in Canada. A permanent resident is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents can be ordered to leave Canada for reasons given in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
In Immigration Law, Income Assistance, Refugee Law
After someone becomes a permanent resident, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada gives them a permanent resident card. The card proves that the person has permanent status in Canada and includes details like their name, photograph, and date of birth.
A permanent resident card usually expires in 5 years but can be renewed.
Permanent residents who travel outside Canada need to make sure that they have their permanent resident card and that it is valid at the time they plan to return.
In Immigration Law, Refugee Law
A person in need of protection is someone who would likely face at least one of the following risks if they had to return to their home country:
- torture, or
- in some cases, a risk to their life or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
Their country is also not able or not willing to protect them, and they cannot reasonably and safely live in another part of their country.
In Employment and Work, Health and Disability, Housing Law, Human Rights
A personal characteristic is a quality that a person has. There are 17 personal characteristics protected by Ontario’s Human Rights Code. These are sometimes called “protected grounds”. They relate to your:
- race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, and ethnic origin
- citizenship
- religion
- sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- sexual orientation
- family and marital status
- disability
- age
Two personal characteristics are protected only in certain situations. You’re protected from being treated unfairly:
- in housing if you get income support from the government
- at work if you have a record suspension, which used to be called a pardon
In Employment and Work, Health and Disability, Housing Law, Human Rights
A personal characteristic is a quality that a person has. There are 17 personal characteristics protected by Ontario’s Human Rights Code. These are sometimes called “protected grounds”. They relate to your:
- race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, and ethnic origin
- citizenship
- religion
- sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression
- sexual orientation
- family and marital status
- disability
- age
Two personal characteristics are protected only in certain situations. You’re protected from being treated unfairly:
- in housing if you get income support from the government
- at work if you have a record suspension, which used to be called a pardon
In Abuse and Family Violence, Elder abuse, Debt and Consumer Rights, Health and Disability
Personal information is any facts about you that identify you as a unique individual. Examples of personal information are your name, contact information, social insurance number, birth date, and address. It also includes facts about your race, religion, beliefs, age, sex, marital status, health or criminal history, education, and more.
Personal property is things you own that are not land or real estate. This includes things like cars, jewelry, furniture, and clothing.
Phishing is when an identity thief pretends to be your bank, your employer, a business, or somebody else, and tries to trick you into giving them your personal information. An identity thief may use phone calls, emails, regular mail, or fake websites to get your information.
If you’re a temporary foreign worker in Canada, physical abuse means that your employer harms you, or causes you pain or physical injury. For example, your employer might:
- hit, slap, punch, or burn you
- lock you in a room and not let you out
- force you to live in a dirty or unhealthy place
- force you to work in unsafe conditions
- force you to use drugs or alcohol
In Employment and Work, Tribunals and Courts
If you sue someone in court, you are called the plaintiff. The person you are suing is called the defendant.