Religious discrimination is devaluing a person or group because of their religion, or treating someone differently because of what they do or don't believe.
People can experience religious discrimination because:
Religious freedom is the freedom of individuals to believe in, practice, and promote their religion of choice without (government) interference, harassment, or other repercussions - as long as practices based on, or resulting from, those beliefs do not break the law (e.g. do not encourage or result in fraud, tax evasion, murder, terrorism, acts designed to undermine the government or the constitution, the use of unethical persuasion tactics)
Religious persecution is the practice of discouraging religious freedom and the freedom to express and/or promote all or certain religious beliefs - with repercussions ranging from discrimination and harassment to prevention and prosecution (by legal and/or illegal means).
Religious intolerance is the refusing to acknowledge and support the right of individuals to have their own beliefs and related legitimate practices and the unwillingness to have one's own beliefs and related practices critically evaluated.
The following do not constitute religious intolerance:
Religious tolerance is acknowledging and supporting that individuals have the right and freedom to their own beliefs and related legitimate practices, without necessarily validating those beliefs or practices.
This passage is taken from the Ontario Human Rights website.
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, discrimination because of religion (creed) is against the law. Everyone should have access to the same opportunities and benefits, and be treated with equal dignity and respect, regardless of their religion.
Religion includes the practices, beliefs and observances that are part of a faith or religion. It does not include personal moral, ethical or political views. Nor does it include religions that promote violence or hate towards others, or that violate criminal law.
Protection against discrimination applies in the following areas:
It doesn't matter whether or not discrimination is intentional: it is the effect of the behaviour that is important.
Where a rule conflicts with religious requirements, there is a duty to ensure that individuals are able to observe their religion, unless this would cause undue hardship because of cost, or health and safety reasons. Unlawful discrimination because of religion can include: