[Presto]

https://www.citynews1130.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/9/2019/05/CPT120548585.jpg

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ont-vegan-firefighter-1.5143655

An Ontario firefighter alleges his human rights were violated when he was not provided sufficient vegan food while battling a massive blaze in B.C.

Adam Knauff has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario against his employer, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, over his treatment and subsequent suspension while fighting a fire near William's Lake, B.C., in 2017.

"The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry discriminated against me and failed to accommodate my sincerely held ethical beliefs (creed) when it failed to provide me with food that accommodated my personal commitment to ethical veganism, and then disciplined me and suspended me because I attempted to assert my right to accommodation of that sincerely held ethical belief," he wrote in his application to the tribunal.

The case centres on whether veganism is a form of creed — the definition of which was expanded by the Human Rights Tribunal in 2015 to include non-secular beliefs.

Knauff, based in Kenora, Ont., has worked with the ministry since 2008 and is often dispatched outside the province. He filed the complaint based on the grounds that his creed was not accommodated.

"I am an ethical vegan in that I not only follow a vegan diet, but I extend the philosophy of non-consumption of animal products to all other areas of my life," he wrote.

"I do not think that humans have the moral right to oppress other beings, or to cause them pain and suffering."

Knauff, now 40, arrived in northern B.C. on July 15, 2017, and was one of about 1,000 firefighters battling a massive forest fire — working 14 to 16 hours per day.

About 10,000 homes were evacuated in William's Lake, and the only store open was a Tim Hortons that police were helping run, he wrote in his complaint. He said the ministry had long known about his dietary constraints, and he had also filled out a standard food information form for the trip.

"On some days during my deployment to William's Lake, I was not provided with any food that was vegan or not otherwise contaminated with animal products, and therefore forced to go hungry," he wrote.

On July 16, he ate salad and side dishes. The next day, he wrote, there were no vegan meals, so he ate plain bagels and coffee from Tim Hortons. The day after that he was given "beans, oatmeal and fruits."

"After working 16-hour days for four days with inadequate nutrition I began to feel physically ill and mentally groggy," Knauff wrote. "Until that point I had been trying to push through my hunger and exhaustion, sustaining myself on nuts and fruits."

He complained to the supervisor who said he'd "work on it," the documents say.

On July 20, he wrote: "The only source of protein in my dinner was a single black bean." The next two days he had "inadequate dinners."

He asked for personnel to buy tofu during one of their service runs. He got three blocks of tofu, gave it to the camp's chef, but never saw it again, he wrote.

Things came to a head on July 23 when he was looking forward to a big barbecue dinner, where vegan burgers would be served.

But, he wrote, the chef handled beef patties before touching the vegan patties with the same gloved hands.

Knauff said he swore at the chef, who swore back. His supervisor gave him a warning, he wrote. "No one seemed to take my ethical beliefs seriously," he wrote.

The next night at dinner, he was served stir-fry with no protein. He was promised beans the following day, he wrote.

He took his plate to his supervisor and asked him if he could see any protein on his plate. The supervisor offered him protein bars. "I was upset and told him 'no,"' and then he told him — with a curse word — to fix the problem.

"I know that I should not have sworn ... but I was starving,exhausted, humiliated and defeated," he wrote. "I had reached my breaking point." But the real breaking point came the next day when he picked up his lunch, where, he alleged, half of the food was non-vegan.

He poured it out in front of food staff and said, repeatedly, "this isn't vegan." That's when his supervisor sent him home. The ministry says Knauff was sent home and suspended three days without pay due to his "inappropriate, insubordinate, unprofessional and aggressive behaviour."

He was also banned from fighting fires outside the province for the remainder of 2017 and all of 2018. The ministry also alleges Knauff threw the non-vegan food at staff, which Knauff denies.

Base camp was difficult for all involved, as was trying to feed 1,000 firefighters with the closest towns with open stores hours away, the ministry says.

It also argues that Knauff's "vegan status is a sincerely held lifestyle choice, but does not meet the legal definition of creed."

It further argues that it "supported the employee and accommodated his food restrictions as if it were a component of his health needs or part of a recognized creed."

Camille Labchuk, the executive director of the advocacy group Animal Justice, said it hopes to intervene in the case because veganism in the workplace isn't limited to Knauff.

"Ethical veganism has never been ruled a form of creed," Labchuk said. "This is a test case, but it's important to have a clear statement from the tribunal."


It says he's been with the ministry since 2008. Is the veganism, or being a firefighter a recent thing? It doesn't look like he'd be able to survive this long. The guy looks like a meth-head that stole a firefighter outfit.

[PeanutButter]

This guy is working 14-16 hour days and we can't give this guy some tofu?

What's wrong with our system? This man is saving lives and we can't give him some beans and rice? Make the kid some fajita's and instant noodles.

He doesn't seem like some pansy ass government employee, guy is literally fighting fires and saving lives.

Creed or not, this guy deserves a little bit more... Is it asking that much to help him out?

[twitchyzero]

trying to feed 1000+ must not have been easy

but the guy came out of his way to help fight our disaster doing overtime..least we could do is take diet requests seriously

but seriously what gives you the authority to stand on the soap box and comment on his figure? let me know when you've dropped everything and went to help with a flooding/earthquake/fire before making such remarks

[Zedbra]

I agree with the sentiment that this fellow, because of his noble actions, should have been given whatever food he chose. However, acknowledging a human rights issue based on his ethical beliefs will open the flood gates for many others seeking to make an easy buck down the road. Poor example: I have a deep ethical belief that the VPD should not be handing out so many VI's and therefore I must drive around Vancouver, causing me to pay more money for our ridiculous carbon-taxed gas. Pay me.

[hud 91gt]

I sit on the other side of the fence. This mans job is literally to go into places which are in a state of emergency. Things has hectic, and supplies can be hard to find.

It’s not like he’s working outside of a Whole Foods in Vancouver. We’re talking true vegan, not a vegetarian. Ever try and host a dinner with a vegan? It’s bloody tough.

[FerrariEnzo]

Potatoes shouldnt be too expensive and can be filling... like come on...

[DGN23]

The guy lost me when the meat gloves touched the vegan patties. Calm down man they're being cooked on the same grill, the world is literally burning down around you, things aren't going to be sunshine and rainbows.

It sounds like they made the effort to get the supplies he requested and unfortunately the tofu sounds like it was misplaced and the chief doing the BBQ who I'm sure was also equally as tired made the mistake of touching the vegan patties with the same gloves that touched the meat patties.

I have dietary constraints myself due to medical reasons and I know how frustrating it can be when your options are limited but you know what I do, I avoid putting myself in those situations.

[hud 91gt]

Potatoes shouldnt be too expensive and can be filling... like come on...

If there is one thing available at these camps, it’s food. Rice, potatoes would be plentiful. There is more to this story.

[SkinnyPupp]

But, he wrote, the chef handled beef patties before touching the vegan patties with the same gloved hands.

Knauff said he swore at the chef, who swore back. His supervisor gave him a warning, he wrote. "No one seemed to take my ethical beliefs seriously," he wrote.

I was actually ready to support this guy, since he's putting his life on the line to help others, and doing a very important job.

[hud 91gt]

I was actually ready to support this guy, since he's putting his life on the line to help others, and doing a very important job.

If the swearing is throwing you off, its a different crowd. I have a few buddies who do forest fire fighting, and worked with many more who I don’t know. Not always the classiest crowd.

[twitchyzero]

ever do physical labour for 16 hours? one might be rather cranky and snap

[unit]

no matter what group people belong claim to belong to, there are always going to be these people.

[yray]

bruhhhh

gravy and rice

[SkinnyPupp]

If the swearing is throwing you off, its a different crowd. I have a few buddies who do forest fire fighting, and worked with many more who I don’t know. Not always the classiest crowd.
LOL no it's not the fucking swearing EleGiggle

It's the illogical thinking of it. Eating vegan because "morals" sure, everyone can have their own morals, and if they don't harm anyone but yourself, go for it.

But the guy bitched because his vegan patty made contact with meat? Fucking come on! That's just being a cunt. No extra animals died because the chef touched his fucking vegan patty FailFish

[quasi]

LOL no it's not the fucking swearing EleGiggle

It's the illogical thinking of it. Eating vegan because "morals" sure, everyone can have their own morals, and if they don't harm anyone but yourself, go for it.

But the guy bitched because his vegan patty made contact with meat? Fucking come on! That's just being a cunt. No extra animals died because the chef touched his fucking vegan patty FailFish

I don't eat seafood and I'm not eating any food that seafood has even touched. Like you put a steak on my plate with prawns I'm not eating anything on my plate. Not an allergy, fucking grosses me out you might as well take a shit on my plate. It's like phobia level for me, ever see someone that has a phobia of spiders? Is it rational? nope but it's reality for some. If I watched a chef handle seafood and then take that hand and grab my steak I'm not eating it. As dumb as it sounds that's how I feel about it, I know that it's happened before and I haven't seen it but outta sight outta mind.

I guess what I'm saying is I get where this guy is coming from.

[68style]

I see where he's coming from, but I don't support him... and I can't eat seafood because of an allergy.

But then again, I come from a generation where if you're the "different" one you're not special and you don't inconvenience the entire group for your special needs.

If I know I'm going somewhere seafood related I don't call ahead and expect them to serve me differently or make exceptions for me.. how many 10 course Chinese weddings have I been to where I sit there and eat nothing at all until the crispy chicken plate comes out? I take care of myself and try to minimize my impact on others.

This guy is just being an entitled prick.

[Traum]

But the guy bitched because his vegan patty made contact with meat? Fucking come on! That's just being a cunt. No extra animals died because the chef touched his fucking vegan patty FailFish
That is how hardcore vegans roll -- their food can't come into contact with stuff that has gotten into contact wiht non-vegan food because their previously vegan food has now been "contaminated".

I am of the opinion that this guy is a prick. I appreciate his efforts to help BC put out wild fires, and I respect his choice of going vegan. At the same time, I think it is ridiculous for him to assume and expect that his special food needs can be accommodated in a wild fire fighting base camp. The world around him is (literally!) burning down, and he expects people to cater to his dietary needs first? When he realizes that it cannot be accommodated, he should have asked to get transferred back / out. The guy is 40 yrs old. Raising a stink like he does now is childish and immature, and non-indicative of his age.

[subordinate]

On the flipside, if he wins, it'll be a win for all those vegans that wouldn't rage like he did.

I'm lactose intolerant and fuck me, it's hard sometimes. tons don't know what things don't have dairy in it. Or even Dairy itself, many think eggs are dairy.

Traveling etc, is always a bitch. I don't want to shit my pants!

[Mr.HappySilp]

Can we just give some a stack of potato and a lighter so can he just start a camp fire and cook his own potato that way no meant will ever come in contact with his own potato.

[Traum]

For those with real medical needs, I understand that it could potentially escalate to a life-and-death situation. At the same time, if someone falls into that category, I don't think they'd be good candidates to go into wild fire fighting situations like we are discussing here. We're talking disaster rescue operations type of thing here. The situation is already stressful and complicated enough as it is. It doesn't help to add to the problem with non-life threatening issues and requirements.

[geeknerd]

I don't think refusing to eat vegan patty because you saw it touch meat is overreacting. Like quasi said, I think there is much more emotion involved in these cases.

However, I also think there is more to the story. My guess is that the guy was provided with the bare basics of veg starch and protein but he probably bitched because he wanted a complete cooked tasty dish instead of just steamed food everyday. Even with the vegan patty incident, I'm sure there was 'uncontaminated' vegan patty's waiting to be cooked if the guy didnt go off on the chef.

Kudos to the guy for being vegan and a fightfighter though, probably done more for Earth than most of us here.

[underscore]

I'm curious how many others out of the 1000 that were there were the same level of vegan and if they had any issues. It's a crisis situation, there's a million logistical things to worry about that are more important than the special dietary requirements one person has chosen to have. Especially when it sounds like the food has having to come from all different places, the odds of all of them being able to accommodate this in that kind of situation are slim.

They mention the hours the guy was working but he seems to think the chef (was there only one?) had an easy job and was intentionally making mistakes. Feeding 1000+ people I'm sure that guy was busting his ass for long hours and was exhausted too, so he's probably running on autopilot as much as everyone else to make the 999 other meals.

[Jmac]

I'm curious how many others out of the 1000 that were there were the same level of vegan and if they had any issues. It's a crisis situation, there's a million logistical things to worry about that are more important than the special dietary requirements one person has chosen to have. Especially when it sounds like the food has having to come from all different places, the odds of all of them being able to accommodate this in that kind of situation are slim.

They mention the hours the guy was working but he seems to think the chef (was there only one?) had an easy job and was intentionally making mistakes. Feeding 1000+ people I'm sure that guy was busting his ass for long hours and was exhausted too, so he's probably running on autopilot as much as everyone else to make the 999 other meals.
That's just the firefighters (1000). There's probably double that, if not more, when you include all the support staff and volunteers.

I have Crohn's disease and several food allergies, so my dietary restrictions are numerous. I would never expect to be accommodated in that kind of a situation. Hell, unless it's family or a close friend, I wouldn't expect anyone to know/care. I just eat what I can and avoid what will harm/kill me. The world doesn't revolve around me or anyone else.

[fliptuner]

How the fuck can anything get done, when everyone wants to be special? They should've left his ass at home base, as soon there wasn't enough food for the guy. The distraction and dump in morale isn't worth it.

No one's discriminating cause he's black, has celiac or is Muslim. He's been in this situation before and should've known what he was signing up for.

[RRxtar]

To the few people here saying they sympathize and understand the guy because you also have a food preference and have had the same thing happen.... did you make a human rights complaint about it? Or are you an adult?

[Hondaracer]

Not wanting to eat his vegan patty because it touched actual meat on the grill is fine

Expecting there to be a separate grill to cook vegan meals on a fire line is not.

[GabAlmighty]

They should have just send him home "sorry, we cannot accommodate your dietary needs as this is an emergency situation. You can choose to stay and deal with the situation as it is or we can send you home".

Also, I guess he never ever WD40's anything on this chain saw, water pumps, water hose connections...

This guy can pound sand. I can respect his decision to be a vegan, it's not easy, but to be up in arms because he wasn't fed correctly during an emergency situation where it's impossible to have everything under the sun...

ever do physical labour for 16 hours? one might be rather cranky and snap

You never EVER treat the cooks like anything other than royalty. Doesn't matter how tired or shitty of a day you had, the cooks get treated with the utmost of respect and courtesy.

[RRxtar]

It also needs to be brought up that this is a camp situation feeding 1000 front line firefighters as well as 3-4x that number in support. This isn't a fancy downtown vancouver restaurant serving his table of 2. They mass produce high calorie food in as efficient of a way as possible to feed people fast. If this dingle nuts kept 1000 people waiting on their dinner after a 16 hour shift while the cook specially prepared his vegan patty, they would tie him to a tree.

[SkinnyPupp]

I don't eat seafood and I'm not eating any food that seafood has even touched. Like you put a steak on my plate with prawns I'm not eating anything on my plate. Not an allergy, fucking grosses me out you might as well take a shit on my plate. It's like phobia level for me, ever see someone that has a phobia of spiders? Is it rational? nope but it's reality for some. If I watched a chef handle seafood and then take that hand and grab my steak I'm not eating it. As dumb as it sounds that's how I feel about it, I know that it's happened before and I haven't seen it but outta sight outta mind.

I guess what I'm saying is I get where this guy is coming from.
That's fine, but if you made this much of a stink about it, you'd be a cunt too LUL

[quasi]

That's fine, but if you made this much of a stink about it, you'd be a cunt too LUL

Lol true I just dont eat it.

[PeanutButter]

Shit, how did I miss that whole vegan patty touching the regular patty thing...

Man, come on. They're trying their best bro.

I wanted to support him too. Not as much anymore.

[teggy604]

Damn he is entitled much? He was being fed , although maybe not to his liking. When you work those jobs you burn through tons of calories. It just proves his vegan diet is not sustainable for that type of job.

[!LittleDragon]

Everyone's expendable... don't like it, go join the vegan fire brigade.

[meme405]

You never EVER treat the cooks like anything other than royalty. Doesn't matter how tired or shitty of a day you had, the cooks get treated with the utmost of respect and courtesy.

^^this guy gets it.

I can tell you right now coming from a remote location work history, we work anywhere from 2-6 weeks straight (no weekends), working 10-16 hour days every day. If any employee did half the things this guy did they would have been turfed immediately. We fire people immediately for disrespect of service staff.

Keep in mind I'm talking about an industry with people who are millwrights, ironworkers, welders, pipefitters. AKA tradespeople, some of these guys are the roughest people you will ever meet, they come from all walks of life, from hillbilly rednecks, to city slickers, to patch wearing biker gang members.

And yet those guys under those conditions manage to keep their cool most of the time and not lose it on kitchen staff, cleaners, accomodations people, etc.

So I'm sorry, but no, this guy is just being a prick. Like whats next, people getting aide in natural disasters are going to file human rights complained that their sheets in the emergency shelter are from cotton picked by people who don't get paid a decent wage in sri lanka? Fuck off.

We really must be running out of things to worry about in this world, which begs the question why half of the world still lives without clean water or basic services, while this guy complains about his vegan patty being touched with a glove that also handled a beef patty?

[twitchyzero]

you guys make it sound like if this happened at a high end restaurant, the complaint is more warranted

this is not the typical entitled dickwad, he's fighting a forest fire

should he not have lashed out at mess staff? of course

is it a rather cunty to making an official complaint about unfair dietary treatment? i think so

but to armchair about this from the comfort of our homes and say this guy should think about the starving children in other parts when he's on an emergency task force seems like a major disconnect

in before he's just doing his job

[SkinnyPupp]

Armchair nothing. The very fact that he can even complain about such things shows how indulgently privileged his life is. Whether he's fighting fires or scooping gum off sidewalks, he's acting like an entitled, privileged cunt. And it's gross.

I have friends and family members who are vegetarians, and yes they are a pain in the ass when you dine with them, as are all picky eaters, but nobody I know would ever act like this... They chose to live this abnormal privileged way of eating, for whatever reason (it doesn't really matter), and they realize that they are the ones who have to deal with it, not others. And to bring it up as a human rights issue... fuck the fuck off.

[Ludepower]

This man chose to fight a remote fire across the country knowing he has strict dietary restrictions. Why not stay in his cushy firehall watching TV and cooking his own vegan food on tax payers dime.

[Jmac]

FWIW, it doesn’t sound like he volunteered to go to this particular location. It says in this article and a few other articles that he is often deployed to other provinces to fight fires, presumably on behalf of the Ontario government.

[Ludepower]

No one is forcing him to do anything. I ask my firefighter friend why he doesnt go help fight these fires.

He says "nawwwwwt my problem" then he snaps me a selfie sleeping 8 hours for the night (if they're no calls).

[Berzerker]

The world is literally burning down around these guys. They are operating out of a fucking Tim Hortons, and this cock sucker expects to be treated differently than everybody else? Sorry Bruh but you can go fuck yourself. Expecting people to purchase and prepare food ESPECIALLY FOR HIM (food that might not be easily available) when 2-3k people get along fine and do what they have to do. "yea but he was fighting fires so he gets a pass on being a cunt" is bullshit. The only thing worse would be if he wanted a Crossfit Gym in camp as well. Dude knows exactly what camp life is like and if he was as noble as you're all saying he would eat was given him or stay the fuck home.

Berz out.

[68style]

If I was vegan and I knew I'd get deployed places... I'd bring a big-ass tub of protein powder with me and call it a day.

I'd have no further expectations and I'd eat around the meat/dairy for whatever else was available.

[GabAlmighty]

The only thing worse would be if he wanted a Crossfit Gym in camp as well. Dude knows exactly what camp life is like and if he was as noble as you're all saying he would eat was given him or stay the fuck home.

Berz out.

I bet he wanted a quiet and relaxing studio to practice his yoga

[ae101]

coming from a buddhist, i know tons of vegans/half vegans (half vegans are ppl that just dont eat meat and seafood, but they do consume animal by products as long as it doesnt harm the animals)

i have also met ppl that would throw up just by smelling meats, but i have never have i met someone like him where u need to fill a human rights complain about

welcome to canada, our human rights got your back when your veggie patty cooked on meat grill

[geeknerd]

coming from a buddhist, i know tons of vegans/half vegans (half vegans are ppl that just dont eat meat and seafood, but they do consume animal by products as long as it doesnt harm the animals)

i have also met ppl that would throw up just by smelling meats, but i have never have i met someone like him where u need to fill a human rights complain about

welcome to canada, our human rights got your back when your veggie patty cooked on meat grill

Never heard the term "half vegans", is that your own creation? That sounds more like vegetarians.

[ae101]

^
never mind, its vegtarian (i always thought they dont eat meat but they eat seafood)

[CivicBlues]

^
(i always thought they dont eat meat but they eat seafood)

That's a Pescetarian

[mr00jimbo]

That guy looks so tired and emaciated in that photo! He could use a burger.