Ontario man defends ‘GRAB HER’ personalized licence plate

An Ontario man is speaking out after a complaint was lodged against the licence plates that have adorned his vehicle for nearly four years.

Tyler Kent said while he understands the backlash against the words ‘GRAB HER,’ the meaning behind it is different from what most people may be thinking.

When asked what it all came down to, the Markham man said: “When I was younger in high school, there was a kid crossing the street, wasn’t paying attention in front of a bus and I grabbed her…it’s personal to me. It’s not sexist.”

READ MORE: Alberta man upset over father’s loss of ‘GRABHER’ licence plate

Kent said until recently, he had never received a formal complaint about the plates. This month, he received a notice in the mail from Service Ontario, advising him that someone had done just that.

“I have 15 days’ notice to respond. It’s property of the Crown, I know that. And they can legally take it, but it was given to me by the government – no questions asked.”

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When Global News questioned the province about the matter, they issued a statement via email reading in part:

“All personalized licence plates are subject to a manual review process when the application is received. Unfortunately this one was missed.

“Guidelines dictate that when one written complaint is received, the recall process is implemented and the ministry conducts a thorough review of the plate. Each complaint is reviewed by the Personalized Licence Plate Review Committee…

“The final decision to recall a plate is made by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.”

READ MORE: Grabher licence plate dispute headed to court for hearing in February

Earlier this year, a Nova Scotia man made international headlines when that province deemed his personalized plates too offensive for the roads. The difference: GRABHER is more than a combination of letters; it is his family name.

The name, of German origin, is pronounced ‘Grabber.’ Lorne Grabher is slated to have his case heard on February 1, 2018.

In Ontario, there are specific standards for personalized plates.

As for Tyler Kent, he holds little optimism when it comes to whether or not he gets to keep his plates.

“Right now, I’m still talking to the lawyer, but there’s no point fighting. I’m going to lose.”

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