The year 2019 brought forth numerous noteworthy decisions in
employment law across the country. We have summarized several of
these decisions below.
PART 1 — QUÉBEC
Mandatory safety equipment and freedom of religion
Singh v.
Montréal Gateway Terminals Partnership, 2019 QCCA
1494
In July 2005, three private companies that owned marine
terminals in the Port of Montréal adopted a policy requiring
any person who had to move in and around the terminals to wear a
protective helmet, as required by Canada Labour Code
standards.
Some truck drivers of the Sikh faith, who wore turbans, were
required to move in and around the terminals. They contested the
policy. The applicants contended that the policy was discriminatory
and violated their right to freedom of religion. They applied to
the Superior Court for a declaratory judgment exempting them from
wearing the "hard hats." Their application was dismissed,
and the
