This happens frequently but we don't hear about it anymore, seems it's old news. I say discrimination of any kind should always be news, especially when it is Islam that is at the root of the problem.
From Global News November 30
Human rights complaint filed against cab company over guide dog
SASKATOON – A man who says he and his guide dog have been having trouble with a Saskatoon cab company has filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.
Mike Simmonds says the problem started two months ago when a dispatcher for Comfort Cabs told him he would need a pet-friendly taxi.
He says he’s been told twice since then that drivers weren’t comfortable with his seeing-eye dog because of their religious beliefs.
He called the manager to complain and received an apology.
Simmonds says the manager suggested there must have been a misunderstanding.
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination against people with service animals.
“It baffles me that in this century people have such problems with guide dogs,” Simmonds said Friday.
“If you’re driving a taxi in this country, you have got to know that you’re open to service dogs.”
Cliff Kowbel, operations manager at Comfort Cabs, said that the company continually informs its drivers that working dogs are not pets. He said the company has a policy that the dogs are not to be refused.
Simmonds said he was on his way to the airport two weeks ago when he was turned away by a driver who said a larger cab was needed.
“I said, ‘Here, the suitcase goes in the back or in the trunk and he’s designed to go under my feet. We’ve got to get to the airport.”‘
Simmonds said he could tell the driver was obviously uncomfortable, so he asked him if he had a problem with dogs. The driver replied that associating with dogs was against his religious beliefs.
From Global News November 30
Human rights complaint filed against cab company over guide dog
SASKATOON – A man who says he and his guide dog have been having trouble with a Saskatoon cab company has filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.
Mike Simmonds says the problem started two months ago when a dispatcher for Comfort Cabs told him he would need a pet-friendly taxi.
He says he’s been told twice since then that drivers weren’t comfortable with his seeing-eye dog because of their religious beliefs.
He called the manager to complain and received an apology.
Simmonds says the manager suggested there must have been a misunderstanding.
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination against people with service animals.
“It baffles me that in this century people have such problems with guide dogs,” Simmonds said Friday.
“If you’re driving a taxi in this country, you have got to know that you’re open to service dogs.”
Cliff Kowbel, operations manager at Comfort Cabs, said that the company continually informs its drivers that working dogs are not pets. He said the company has a policy that the dogs are not to be refused.
Simmonds said he was on his way to the airport two weeks ago when he was turned away by a driver who said a larger cab was needed.
“I said, ‘Here, the suitcase goes in the back or in the trunk and he’s designed to go under my feet. We’ve got to get to the airport.”‘
Simmonds said he could tell the driver was obviously uncomfortable, so he asked him if he had a problem with dogs. The driver replied that associating with dogs was against his religious beliefs.
In order not to be Islamophobic, I am going to say that the religious belief noted above is most likely Mennonite. Or Quaker...maybe Lutheran...i'm not sure now....
Read it all
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