The Human Rights Tribunal of British Columbia has sided with a Trinity Western University graduate who was discriminated against by an adventure company because of her religious background. Under the ruling of the Tribunal, the Norway-based firm Amaruk Wilderness Corp must pay Bethany Paquette a total of $8,500.
The issue between Paquette and Amaruk began in 2014 after the former submitted a job application for the latter. Amaruk, however, rejected Pacquette's application, who graduated from the Christian-based university, News 1130 reported.
Although Paquette is aware that she lacked the necessary qualifications for the job, the response issued to her by Amaruk is what made her file a complaint against the company to the Human Rights Tribunal.
According to 24 Hours Vancouver, Paquette did not get the job because of her religion and the school's policy on same-sex relationships.
"In asking students to refrain from same-sex relationships, Trinity Western University, and any person associated with it, has engaged in discrimination, as well as intolerance against other people's beliefs, religious and otherwise," company manager Olaf Amundsen told Pacquette in a letter.
"This is precisely because we cannot tolerate discrimination, or intolerance, that graduates from Trinity Western University are not welcome in our company," the manager continued.
Amundsen also noted in his response that the company finds the university's rejection of evolution despite offering biology course problematic. He then explicitly wrote that Trinity Western University graduates are not allowed to work for Amaruk, the National Post has learned.
The manager then told Pacquette that since Amaruk is a Norwegian company, most members of its managerial department have Norse backgrounds. This means they are not Christians and according to Amundsen, they actually view this religion as a main factor that destroyed their traditional way of life.
Due to Amaruk's ironically discriminatory actions against Paquette, the Human Rights Tribunal has ordered the company, which has an office in Canada, to compensate Paquette. However, after the agency made the ruling, the company responded through its website that it is no longer operating in Canada. This means that Amaruk is not entitled to pay Paquette since the Tribunal no longer has jurisdiction over the company.
