Home News Article Arbitrator rules Air Canada discriminated against pilots over religious vaccine exemptions 

Arbitrator rules Air Canada discriminated against pilots over religious vaccine exemptions 

March 6,2026

RED FM News Desk

A Canadian arbitrator has ruled that Air Canada discriminated against seven pilots who were denied religious exemptions from the company’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. Arbitrator James Hayes found the pilots’ objections were based on sincere religious beliefs and that the airline should have accommodated them rather than forcing them off the job. Hayes ordered Air Canada to compensate the pilots within 60 days and stated the case met the threshold for workplace religious discrimination under the collective agreement and the Canadian Human Rights Act. The decision follows broader disputes over federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates introduced in 2021 for transportation workers.