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

    Toronto Faces School Bus Driver Shortage; Boards Scramble To Get Kids To School

    Toronto Faces School Bus Driver Shortage; Boards Scramble To Get Kids To School
    TORONTO — More than 1,000 children in Toronto are either getting to school late or not going at all due to an "unanticipated" bus driver shortage.

    Toronto Faces School Bus Driver Shortage; Boards Scramble To Get Kids To School

    Toronto Man Completes Solo Swim Across The English Channel In 15 Hr 25 Min

    Toronto Man Completes Solo Swim Across The English Channel In 15 Hr 25 Min
    A 30-year-old Toronto man has become the latest Canadian to successfully complete a solo swim across the English Channel.

    Toronto Man Completes Solo Swim Across The English Channel In 15 Hr 25 Min

    Hockey Player Who Pushed Ontario On Transgender Inclusion Hopes For More

    Hockey Player Who Pushed Ontario On Transgender Inclusion Hopes For More
    Jesse Thompson wanted transgender inclusive policies for hockey dressing rooms to be implemented sooner and for them to be Canada-wide, but says an important first step is happening in Ontario.

    Hockey Player Who Pushed Ontario On Transgender Inclusion Hopes For More

    Harjit Sajjan Says Canada To Host Peacekeeping Summit Next Year

    Harjit Sajjan Says Canada To Host Peacekeeping Summit Next Year
    OTTAWA — Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Canada will host a peacekeeping summit next year, even as Conservative MPs accuse the government of playing politics with Canadian troops.

    Harjit Sajjan Says Canada To Host Peacekeeping Summit Next Year

    Passenger Rights Advocate Wins Appeal Of Complaint Affecting Large Travellers

    Passenger Rights Advocate Wins Appeal Of Complaint Affecting Large Travellers
    HALIFAX — A passenger rights advocate has won an appeal against the Canadian Transportation Agency to review an airline practice he said discriminates against overweight travellers.

    Passenger Rights Advocate Wins Appeal Of Complaint Affecting Large Travellers

    Edmonton Man Facing Several Charges After Disturbance On WestJet Flight

    EDMONTON — RCMP have laid charges against a 20-year-old man after a disturbance on a WestJet flight from Toronto to Edmonton.

    Edmonton Man Facing Several Charges After Disturbance On WestJet Flight