National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the human rights & civil liberties of Canadian Muslims (and by extension of all Canadians), promoting their public interests and challenging Islamophobia and other forms of xenophobia. Built from within the Canadian Muslim community, NCCM is a leading voice enriching Canadian society through Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

Each year, we receive hundreds of human rights-related complaints from members of the public who feel that they have been discriminated against or targeted by their employer, landlord, government agency or other service provider. Cases frequently involve breaches of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or federal and provincial human rights legislation.

Our staff provide advice and options to concerned parties and where necessary we publicize certain cases. The Human Rights Department makes an assessment of incoming cases to determine whether the complainant has been discriminated due to their faith or religious beliefs. If so, we will either: (1) provide information and advice to empower the complainant in their effort to achieve a resolution; (2) assign the case to our human rights committee for informal mediation or potential escalation such as a formal complaint to a human rights commission or oversight body; or (3) refer the complainant to a human rights lawyer if the case requires expertise beyond the capacity of the department. NCCM also monitors and challenges Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate and works with mosques and other Islamic institutions to challenge hate crimes and promote community safety.