What the Alberta Human Rights Commission actually says
The Commission publishes an explicit example on its Protected Grounds page: "In Alberta, employers, landlords, and service providers cannot discriminate against a person because of their source of income. For example, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to a potential tenant because they receive Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)." This is the authoritative interpretation of the law as it applies to housing.
What screening is still legal?
- Requiring documented proof of total household income at a published threshold applied to every applicant.
- Requiring the applicant to provide proof of their income source (bank statements, benefit letter, employment letter).
- Running a standard credit check with consent.
- Contacting previous landlords for reference.
- Verifying identity through government-issued photo ID.
What crosses the line into discrimination?
- "We do not accept government income" as a policy.
- "Employment income only" as a listing requirement.
- Requiring a higher income threshold for benefit recipients than for wage earners.
- Additional deposit or co-signer requirements for tenants on AISH or income supports (when not applied to all applicants).
- Rejecting an application after learning the income source is benefit-based, even if you cite a different reason.
What happens if a complaint is filed?
The Alberta Human Rights Commission investigates. The landlord is asked to respond in writing with the objective reason for refusal. If the landlord's stated reason is not consistently applied to other applicants, or if the timing suggests the refusal followed disclosure of the income source, the Commission can find discrimination. Remedies include compensation for the applicant, mandatory education for the landlord, and orders about future rental practice. Documented written screening criteria and consistent application are the landlord's primary defence.
Sources
- Alberta Human Rights Commission Protected Grounds page (albertahumanrights.ab.ca).
- Alberta Human Rights Commission Rental Housing page (albertahumanrights.ab.ca/issues-with-housing/rental-housing).
- Alberta Human Rights Act, RSA 2000, c. A-25.5.