CALGARY: Mount is can continue to wear turbans instead of the traditional Stetson after the Federal Court of Appeal upheld an RCMP policy allowing a variation in its uniform for religious reasons. An Alberta group led by three retired RCMP officers had launched the appeal of a decision by a lower court but it was rejected recently by a three judge panel.
The judges didn’t even listen to arguments from Crown lawyers before issuing a unanimous decision.
“We have come to the conclusion there is no merit in any of the (plaintiffs’) arguments,” said Justice Allen Linden, who spoke on behalf of the ‘court. The decision was issued after lawyer Mark Edwards, who represented the plaintiffs, concluded his arguments on the first of two days set aside for hearing. “s over,” Edwards said outside the courtroom. “We’re disappointed but it was a strong decision by a strong panel of federal court judges.”
The unanimous decision means it’s unlikely the case could go to the Supreme Court of Canada, he added.
Sikh officers have been allowed to wear religious symbols, including turbans, since 1990.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 9, 1995
