The Supreme Court of Canada ruled on July 9, 2000 in Mavis Baker v. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration that administrative decisions made on the basis of prejudice against single mothers, domestic workers, people with psychiatric disabilities, or others stereotyped as being more likely to be dependent on social assistance will be overturned as "unreasonable" by the courts.

The Court found that administrative decision-makers must act in accordance with values articulated in international human rights treaties that Canada has ratified. The Charter Committee on Poverty Issues (one of the intervenors in the case) issued a supportive press release regarding the Baker case, applauding the court's decision.