# 2022-327 Careers, Accommodation

Case summary

F&R Date: 2024-07-04

The grievor contested the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) decision to only partially grant his religious accommodation request to carry and wear religious items, including a knife. The grievor submitted that only allowing him to carry a knife less than 5 inches in length does not meet his religious needs. The grievor argued that individuals of the Sikh faith have been allowed by the Supreme court to carry, or wear, a kirpan (religious blade) for religious reasons and so should he.

The Initial Authority (IA) found that a single person's interpretation is not sufficient and a body or legal or government entity must recognize an item as a religious or spiritual object for the purposes of granting an accommodation request. The IA found that the grievor presented the items as utilitarian tools and did not demonstrate a religious or spiritual meaning. Consequently, the IA explained that they must prioritize the health and safety of CAF members as well as the public by denying the grievor's request.

The Committee found that the grievor had not demonstrated the religious or spiritual nexus of wearing the knife in question and did not show that the length proposed by his chain of command was inadequate. Furthermore, the Committee found that despite the sincerity of the religious beliefs towards these objects, the items the grievor requested to carry consists of weapons. Ultimately, the Committee found that it was reasonable to deny the request for religious accommodation to carry a knife greater than 5 inches in length as granting such an accommodation would reach the point of undue hardship as provided by Defence Administrative Orders and Directives 5516-3 – Religious or Spiritual Accommodation.

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority not afford the grievor redress.