WATCH ABOVE: The women behind human rights complaints against two Toronto restaurants say it is important to fight for their rights. Christina Stevens reports.
TORONTO — The women behind human rights complaints against two restaurants say it is important to fight for their rights.
Karoline Bourdeau filed her complaint against Ikki Sushi.
Back in March the owner refused to let Bourdeau and her husband in with Bourdeau’s guide dog Potter. She said that she even explained to him that it was the law.
“People don’t understand, they don’t want to understand,” said Bourdeau.
As Global News reported then, Toronto Police refused to investigate the incident. They claimed it wasn’t their job. Only after our investigation proved to them that it was their job did they agree to take Bourdeau’s complaint.
READ MORE: Toronto police investigate woman’s claim of discrimination over guide dog
Now a charge has been laid against Bob Huang under the Blind Persons Rights Act, which can carry a fine of up to $5,000.
In March, Huang stood his ground when interviewed by Global News.
His perspective has changed. He explained that then he didn’t understand the rules.
“I don’t know between dog and guide dog the difference. But now I know and apologize. I must apologize, all my fault,” said Huang.
Just days earlier, a staff member at a Tim Hortons on Dufferin Street told Victoria Nolan to leave her guide dog, Alan, outside.
The restaurant chain has since said the employee made a mistake, apologized and let Nolan stay.
After Global News reported on the incident, Nolan met with management and made some recommendations for improvements.
However, Nolan said she was so frustrated by a lack of action that she has filed a human rights complaint against Tim Hortons.
One of her suggestions was that they switch out signs on the doors which say “no pets” to more accurate signs which reflect that service animals are welcome.
Nolan said after committing to change the signs, Tim Hortons wavered. She feels the signs would be a step in the right direction.
“I would have been satisfied with that because I think that is a big education piece,” said Nolan.
In an emailed statement to Global News, Tim Hortons said, in part, that they “are always considering ways to make our restaurants even more welcoming and accessible.”
They also said all employees receive appropriate training. Only after Global News asked, multiple times, about the signs, did they finally commit, today, to changing them.
Both women expressed frustration that these kinds of incidents keep happening.
To add to Bourdeau’s exasperation, the information about her complaint, sent to her by the Human Rights Commission, was in writing, mailed in a letter.
Bourdeau had requested email correspondence, for which she has an electronic reader. A letter is inaccessible.
- Roadblock cleared: Ontario’s Highway 413 moving forward after governments reach agreement
- TSX down 160 points as energy stocks move lower, U.S. markets continue to fall
- Man accused of stabbing Toronto police officer faces attempted murder charges
- Ford government questions usefulness of fourplex policies citing low uptake
Comments