A B.C. worker who was fired for refusing to wear a mask for religious reasons will not get to air out his grievances, B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has ruled.

In a decision issued Thursday (April 8), tribunal member Adam Stevenson shot down the man鈥檚 claim that he was discriminated against because of his religion.

The unidentified man said he was refused contracted work at a district facility after he refused to wear a mask when asked to by a site manager.

鈥淲e are all made in the image of God,鈥� he said, and 鈥渢o cover up our face arbitrarily dishonors God鈥� and infringes on 鈥渙ur God-given ability to breathe,鈥� the worker said about his beliefs.

Subsequently, the anti-masker was sent a letter by a district manager terminating his contract.

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While the man said it was his faith that kept him from donning a mask, Stevenson said the complaint he lodged focused on his general disagreement with B.C.鈥檚 mask-wearing mandate.

In his filing, the complainant alleged certain research shows 鈥渢here is no reason to wear (a mask) in the general public.鈥�

鈥淭he worker has not set out facts that could establish that his objection to mask鈥恮earing is grounded in a sincerely held religious belief,鈥� Stevenson wrote.

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Earlier this month, Stevenson issued a screening decision, stating the B.C. Human Rights Code does not protect those who simply 鈥渄isagree鈥� or prefer not to wear a mask.

Since Nov. 24, people in B.C.鈥檚 indoor, public spaces have been required to wear face coverings to limit COVID-19 spread.

sarah.grochowski@bpdigital.ca
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