Ontario Legally Recognizes Ethical Veganism
Vegan Lifestyle Articles From All-Creatures.org

Vegan lifestyle articles that discuss ways of living in peace with humans, animals, and the environment.


FROM

Joe Loria, Mercy for Animals
January 2016

In December, the Ontario Human Rights Commission redefined creed to include non-religious beliefs that like religion, substantially influence a person's identity, worldview, and way of life. Because ethical veganism is a way of life, it falls under this definition.

A recent Huffington Post article discusses a provision of Ontario’s Human Rights Code that now protects the rights of ethical vegans.

In December, the Ontario Human Rights Commission redefined creed to include non-religious beliefs that like religion, substantially influence a person's identity, worldview, and way of life. Because ethical veganism is a way of life, it falls under this definition.

So what does this all mean? The code sets guidelines for service providers on respectful treatment and accommodation of people with creed-based requirements. Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, the animal rights group that worked tirelessly to ensure the code was updated, said, “The policy recommends that a person in a hospital facility who has a creed-based need for vegetarian food be provided with appropriate food by the facility.”

Labchuk also noted that the new code protects vegan students from participating in dissections, and vegan employees from wearing work uniforms that contain fur or leather.

We applaud Animal Justice and others who pressed for the updated code, as this truly sets an important precedent.


Return to Articles Reflecting a Vegan Lifestyle