Alongside a coalition of respected public interest organizations—including the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Centre for Free Expression, Democracy Watch, and Income Security Advocacy Centre—Animal Justice has been granted the green light to intervene in a precedent-setting court case that could expand legal protections for ethical vegans under human rights law. The coalition argues that cases involving matters of public interest, like this case, should be granted leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal (see written argument here).
Veteran Firefighter Denied Appropriate Food
At the heart of the case is Adam Knauff, a veteran forest firefighter and ethical vegan of over 25 years. In 2017, while battling wildfires in British Columbia, Knauff’s employer failed to provide adequate vegan food, forcing him to go hungry for days. He filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, arguing that ethical veganism is a protected creed under the Ontario Human Rights Code—a case with profound implications for approximately 850,000 vegans across Canada.
Despite the Ontario Human Rights Commission creed policy that recognizes protections for ethical beliefs, the Tribunal disagreed, and the Divisional Court upheld that decision. But the fight isn’t over.
Next Stop: Ontario Court of Appeal
Now, Knauff is asking the Ontario Court of Appeal to hear his case. The court will decide whether to grant leave to appeal—a critical step in potentially overturning the lower decisions and affirming that ethical veganism deserves protection under the law.
Animal Justice will be there. On November 7, 2025, the Court will consider whether the case can proceed to an appeal hearing. We will ask the Court to consider the significant public interest involved in cases like this one in deciding whether to hear them on appeal.
Adam Knauff’s case could break new ground in Canadian human rights law—opening the door to broader protections for vegans and others whose ethical or philosophical convictions deserve legal respect and accommodation.
Stay tuned as we prepare to return to court, and stand up once again for justice—for people, for animals, and for a fairer, more inclusive legal system.
