Grabher gets appeal date in fight over revocation of personalized licence plate

An appeal hearing has been set for a Nova Scotia man fighting the province’s decision to revoke a personalized licence plate that bears his surname – Grabher.

The Calgary-based Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said today a full-day appeal hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 19.

Lorne Grabher says the province infringed on his freedom of expression, but the Nova Scotia Supreme Court said that constitutionally protected right does not extend to government-owned plates.

The Nova Scotia plate, which Grabher had for nearly 30 years, was revoked in 2016 by the province’s Registrar of Motor Vehicles after the agency received a complaint accusing the sign of promoting hatred toward women.

In a news release, Grabher’s lawyer Jay Cameron said the province’s decision to revoke the plate is an example of arbitrary and capricious censorship and a threat to freedom of expression.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Cameron says his client looks forward to the next stage of court proceedings.

2:03 Final arguments begin in Grabher trial

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2020.