GoodLife Fitness has issued an apology to a Canadian Sikh man after he was asked to leave one of its locations for wearing a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger that baptized Sikhs are required to wear at all times. The incident, which occurred at a gym in Windsor, Ontario, was recorded by Gurpartap Singh Sangha and shared on TikTok, where the video gained significant attention.
In the video, Sangha can be heard questioning the employee's decision, stating, 'You’re kicking me out of the gym right now because you are scared that I’m going to take my religious symbol… and kill somebody?' The employee responded that a member had raised a safety concern and that, for the safety of everyone, Sangha was being asked to leave the private establishment.
A 2006 Supreme Court of Canada ruling established that religious symbols, including the kirpan, are protected and must be accommodated in public settings, provided they remain sheathed and within a certain length. The kirpan is a mandatory religious article for baptized Sikhs.
Following the viral video, Tracy Matthews, senior vice-president of experience and safety at GoodLife Fitness, released a statement acknowledging that the situation did not align with the company's established practices. "We have reached out directly to the individual involved to address this matter," Matthews said, adding that the company complies with all applicable human rights legislation. Matthews also clarified that the employee involved in the interaction was not terminated.
Sangha confirmed he received a personal apology via email from GoodLife Fitness, which he accepted. However, he suggested that the gym should also focus on educating its staff about different faiths.
Despite the apology, the incident sparked debate online and among some gym members. Some individuals expressed concern over safety, questioning whether carrying a kirpan in a gym environment is appropriate. Others, including a TikTok user named Sonduren Fanarredha, argued that the kirpan in question, described as approximately nine inches, constituted a weapon and that the gym had set a dangerous precedent. Fanarredha alleged that most Sikhs carry smaller kirpans discreetly, unlike the one he perceived as a hunting knife.
GoodLife Fitness stated its commitment to maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for all its members.