WATCH: Coffee giant Tim Hortons is apologizing tonight for the actions of one of its owners. As Jennifer Palma reports, the incident has prompted a Facebook campaign to boycott the chain.
Tim Hortons is apologizing after accusations that the manager of a Vancouver location dumped water on a homeless man outside the store.
READ MORE: Social media campaign claims Tim Hortons worker dumped water on homeless man
“The regretful actions in a moment of frustration at one of our Vancouver locations is not at all reflective of our brand and restaurant owner values. On behalf of Tim Hortons we sincerely apologize,” said Michelle Robichaud, Manager of Social Media, in a statement.
Robichaud added that the owner will be making a personal apology and make a donation to Belkin House, a Vancouver shelter.
It was just on Friday that Arianne Summach called for a boycott of the iconic Canadian chain after her friends told her about the incident at Robson and Richards.
CALLING A BOYCOTT: The manager of TIM HORTONS on Robson and Richards, literally just dumped a very large bucket of water all over a homeless man (and all his worldly belongings, cardboard bed included), for sitting out front of the shop. He was sleeping when it happened.
“At first I just thought I was going to share it between friends,” says Summach of her Facebook post, which has been shared thousands of times. “It’s pretty impressive. It just shows people that if they see something, they can raise up and everyone has a voice.”
Judy Regamey, Executive Director of Vancouver Salvation Army Harbour Light, says the situation is regrettable.
“Sometimes people are a little afraid to approach someone on the street…but everybody’s got a story, and if we talk to them like we talk to anyone, they would understand.”
Regamey says she hasn’t heard of a situation like this in Vancouver before. She said businesses trying to clear their storefronts can phone the Salvation Army, who offer shelter referrals when they’re full, or the police – but encourages them to be proactive and respectful.
“Obviously it’s not okay. I understand that when people put their bed in front of a business, it must be difficult for business owners. But if they were to talk to them, and explain you can’t really put up your home here, I think people will understand that.”
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