Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

No Exception On Helmet Rules For Turban-Wearing Sikh Truck Drivers: Quebec Judge Rules

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Sep, 2016 12:22 PM
    MONTREAL — A Quebec judge has ruled turban-wearing Sikh truck drivers must wear hard hats in the workplace when safety standards require them.
     
    Three Sikh men who drove container trucks at the Port of Montreal had argued they had a right to wear a turban instead of a helmet based on Quebec and Canadian charter rights protecting freedom of religion.
     
    In a ruling released Wednesday, Quebec Superior Court Justice Andre Prevost recognized that the requirement to wear helmets violated the mens' charter rights but ruled that safety should trump religion in this case.
     
    He ruled the port's rules were justified because they protect workers against head injuries.
     
    "The risks are not lower because the claimants are Sikh and wear turbans," he wrote in his decision.
     
    "The safety obligations of the defendants are not less stringent, either, towards the claimants than towards other workers." 
     
     
    In a case dating back to 2006, the men had argued they were victims of religious discrimination after they were no longer allowed to enter the port's terminals without protective headgear.
     
    The safety measures were put in place in 2005.
     
    Originally an accommodation was put in place allowing the drivers to stay in their trucks while containers were loaded, but that was eventually deemed not commercially viable because it increased the loading time.
     
    A lawyer representing the three men said he was disappointed by the decision but was encouraged that the judge recognized his client's charter rights had been violated.
     
    Julius Grey said he would meet with his clients next week to decide whether to appeal the decision.
     
    "I personally believe it's a case that can be very easily and effectively appealed, so I hope that's what they'll do," he said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Mountie Describes Bloody Scene At Site Of Forest Mill Shooting In Nanaimo, B.C.

    Mountie Describes Bloody Scene At Site Of Forest Mill Shooting In Nanaimo, B.C.
    One of the first RCMP officers at the scene of a deadly workplace shooting on Vancouver Island described seeing a blood-soaked scene moments before he arrested an emotionless man inside the company office.

    Mountie Describes Bloody Scene At Site Of Forest Mill Shooting In Nanaimo, B.C.

    Woman And Young Child Sought Following Brazen Robbery In Invermere, B.C.

    Woman And Young Child Sought Following Brazen Robbery In Invermere, B.C.
    Cpl. Grant Simpson says police are always concerned when children are involved and he's confident the woman will be identified.

    Woman And Young Child Sought Following Brazen Robbery In Invermere, B.C.

    Evergreen Line Between Burnaby And Coquitlam To Be Operating Before Christmas

      The British Columbia government says in a news release that the $1.43-billion Evergreen Line through Burnaby, Port Moody and Coquitlam is more than 90 per cent complete.

    Evergreen Line Between Burnaby And Coquitlam To Be Operating Before Christmas

    Pedestrian Succumbs To Injuries In Vancouver’s 13th Traffic-Related Death

    Pedestrian Succumbs To Injuries In Vancouver’s 13th Traffic-Related Death
    One of two pedestrians struck by a taxi cab last week on Hastings near Main Street, has now died.

    Pedestrian Succumbs To Injuries In Vancouver’s 13th Traffic-Related Death

    Richmond Police Make Double Arrest After Sharp-Eyed Neighbour Reports Break-in

    Richmond Police Make Double Arrest After Sharp-Eyed Neighbour Reports Break-in
    Shortly before 1 AM on September 1st, 2016, Richmond RCMP officers from Alpha Watch responded to a residence in the 7000 block of Afton Drive. 

    Richmond Police Make Double Arrest After Sharp-Eyed Neighbour Reports Break-in

    Canada Now Allows Prescription Heroin In Severe Opioid Addiction Cases

    Canada Now Allows Prescription Heroin In Severe Opioid Addiction Cases
    VANCOUVER — Health Canada has amended regulations allowing doctors to prescribe heroin to people who are severely addicted to opioids.

    Canada Now Allows Prescription Heroin In Severe Opioid Addiction Cases