Article content continued

Job interview turns towards religion, sexual orientation

He was then subjected to a 75-minute interview with Hayduk who spent most of that time discussing religion, marriage, race, sexual orientation and other matters unrelated to the job.

Scott noted in her decision that the interview started off with a routine question about why Landry wanted to work there, but then took a strange turn when he was asked what he would do if a customer had an issue with his sexual orientation.

Landry remembers saying everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if physically threatened, he must defend himself. It was a lesson he learned after being bullied as a child, he said.

Hayduk told the tribunal that he recalled asking how Landry would deal with an irate customer, but does not recall any mention of him being gay.

Landry also testified that Hayduk told him he did not believe in political correctness, that straight people are bullied into accepting gay people and the tide would turn against them.

Hayduk recalled his comment about political correctness, but he denied making other inappropriate statements. However, he later said he may have done so, Scott noted in her ruling.

Landry said Hayduk told him “natives” are in the minority in Vegreville and that he asked about Landry’s belief in God.

He told Hayduk he was raised Catholic and had attended a Baptist church with a friend in his youth.

According to Landry, Hayduk responded by saying that he attends Catholic church and that Catholics believe marriage is between a man and a woman.