Animal Justice went to court this week in a groundbreaking discrimination case, arguing that ethical veganism is a secular belief system that deserves to be under Ontario human rights law as a “creed”. The case is before the Divisional Court of Ontario, which is reviewing a Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) decision that denied this protection to a vegan firefighter who was refused appropriate food while fighting remote forest fires. Animal Justice was granted intervener status in the case, which marks the first time an Ontario court will consider whether the beliefs of vegans—who avoid consuming or using animal products for ethical reasons—qualify for protection under Ontario’s Human Rights Code.
Veteran firefighter and committed vegan Adam Knauff filed this landmark case after being deployed to fight wildfires in 2017 in British Columbia. Despite working exhausting 16-hour days in extreme heat, he was repeatedly served meals containing animal products, nutritionally inadequate options, or no food at all—despite his employer being well aware of his long-standing vegan beliefs. When he expressed his frustration following many attempts to resolve the issue, Mr. Knauff was sent home, disciplined, and suspended without pay.
Veganism as a Human Right
The Ontario Human Rights Commission broadened its definition of creed in 2015 to include non-religious belief systems that “substantially influence a person’s identity, worldview, and way of life.” Ethical veganism clearly fits this definition, as it’s rooted in compassion for animals and heavily influences daily choices—from diet, to clothing, to consumer purchases.
Despite this, the HRTO denied Mr. Kauff’s claim in 2023 that ethical veganism is a creed because it “does not address the existence or non-existence of a Creator or higher order.” This decision contradicts international legal trends and misinterprets creed protections—raising concerns for all non-religious belief systems.
Now, Mr. Knauff is seeking judicial review of that decision, and Animal Justice joined him in court to fight for the protections ethical vegans deserve. A victory could set a powerful legal precedent—ensuring ethical vegans, who prevent animal suffering through their consumer choices, are protected from being treated badly by employers, refused services, or otherwise discriminated against.
