Toronto: Sikh guards fired or demoted over ‘humiliating’ facial hair policy

Staff at homeless shelters required to be clean-shaven' to ensure N95 masks fit but for Sikh facial hair is key expression of faith

More than one hundred Sikh security guards in Toronto have lost their jobs or been demoted after refusing to cut their beards in order to wear a face mask, highlighting a city policy that critics describe as discriminatory humiliating".

Under Toronto's current rules, staff at homeless shelters and other congregate settings must wear a N95 respirators when exposed to people with Covid-19 or during suspected outbreaks.