Followed in a Store? Racial Profiling and Your Rights in Ontario

The Ontario Human Rights Commission describes racial profiling as action taken for reasons of safety, security or public protection that relies on stereotypes about race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion or place of origin, rather than on reasonable suspicion.

What it can look like

• Being followed around a store, or asked to show receipts when others aren't.
• Being refused entry, or asked to leave, without a real reason.
• Being asked for ID when others aren't.

Your rights

Stores, restaurants, landlords, security guards and other service providers must not treat you differently because of race or a related ground.

What to do

1. Stay calm and, if it is safe, ask why you were singled out.
2. Write down the date, time, place, names and badge numbers, and any witnesses.
3. Ask the business to preserve video footage.
4. Complain to the business or its head office in writing.

Where to go

• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario: usually within one year.
• Police: complaints about police conduct go to the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency.

Sources

• Ontario Human Rights Code
• OHRC: racial profiling
• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (Tribunals Ontario)

Read next: Religious Accommodation at Work: Schedules, Dress and Prayer

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 15 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Pexels: Shopping bags in a small shopping cart · A Lady Justice statue holding the scales.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.