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2 IBNEWS “TRIBUNAL REJECTS HUMAN RIGHTS CLAIM OVER SUPPORT CHIHUAHUA ON BUS = MAN WHO WAS CARRYING HIS DOG IN = KNAPSACK DID NOT HAVE PROOF IT WAS = EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG 3 A 6 8 : waterloochronicle.ca GORDON PAUL gpaul@therecord.com man who was told he could not ride a Grand Riv- er Transit bus with a Chi- huahua in his knapsack — and | responded by uttering lurs to the driver a ore was called — had his allegations of discrimination dismiss by the Human Rights Tri- bunal of Ontario. When the man boarded the bus in October 2020, the driver told him the dog had to bein acarrier. He replied it was an e port dog that he needed due to mental health issues. But the Chihuahua was not wearing a vest or har- ness identifying it as a ser- vice animal and the man had no proof the dog was needed "for reasons of disa- bility," the human rights tribunal said in a ruling earlier this month. The bus driver told the man he could not ride with the dog. “He proceeded to take a seat on the bus with his dog in his knapsack," said tri- bunal adjudicator Meryl Zisman G: When security officers were called, the man ut- tered ence ae in the driver, inch word, and " rohoreeed ‘pean the operator in an aggres- sive manner," Gary said. He then left the bus and. lat- apologized, saying mental health _ “out of control" at the time. Grand River Transit DIVERSIONS AND RIVER TRANAIE Metroland File Photo When the man boarded the bus in October 2020, the driver told him the dog had to be in a carrier. a banned him from its buses for one year, ing his ac- tions "met the definition of Workplace violence," Gary a ne man alleged that being kicked off the bus and banned was discrimi- nation. rand River Transit rules say small animals on buses must be kept in a crate or other enclosure. Guide dogs and other ser- vice animals for people with disabilities are al- lowed. “Titi is not clear that the the GRT operator 1 may ask you for a note from a regu- lated health professional stating that the needed for reasons 18 of adis- abi nity," according to the crn persons using a ser- vice animal must meet the criteria stated in the Ontar- jans with Disabilities Act." ie man showed the hu- man rights tribunal two medical notes — one dated in 2022, the other in 2023 — confirming he used the Chihuahua, named Caina, for emotional support when travelling. "At the hearing, (he) spoke eloquently about the emotional support he gets from Caina for his mental health and that he felt hu- miliated and triggered by having to disclose his disa- bilities," Gary said. But the man acknowl] edged that on the bus oe day, he had no proof he brought the dog for sup- port. "There is no reasonable prospect of establishing that not permitting the ap- plicant to travel with Caina .. Was discriminatory,” Gary said. jut Gary also said she accepts that it was "unfair" not to let him travel with Caina, considering itwasa in "an enclosed knapsack." The man had previously been allowed on Grand River Transit buses with the dog, Gary said. "However, the tribunal only has the power to ad- dress unfair treatment that is linked to a prohibited ground of discrimination’ under the Ontario Human Rights Code, she "There is no reasonable f that this unfair treatment is connected to the appli- cant's disability." Grand River Transit told the {tribunal it banned the buses be- cause ¢ of his “discriminat Lo ry remarks and aggressive behaviour." It said he would not have been banned had he left without incident. The man countered that his behaviour was gered by his disabilities and thus the ban was dis- criminatory. “I find the applicant has "I accept that the appli- cant sincerely believes that his behaviour was gered by his disabilities, however that assertion cannot, on its own, ,estab- lish the ti prospect ot Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling ACROSS 49."___ Got 23. Wring 1. Method of self- i 24. Hit lightly 6 914 8 defen: 50. Periods of ight 95, Supporting 5 3 5. Difficulty 53. In person 26. Big monkey 9. Josh 54.Farm enclosure 97 permit 8 9 12. Its on the agenda 55. Neighborhood 13. Granny 56. Opera feature ve mm 4}2 5 8 14, Poet’s output 57. Football position 31. Abels mother 15. High wind 58. Stick around 32, Color ot 16, Picks 59, Hide - Goloring ager 81713 6/1 17. Ocean 34, game official, 5 18.Black eye DOWN 37. rations 2 20. Canoe’s kin 1. Lively dances 38.8 3 4 2 22. More soaked 2. Mormon’s state Be nosy 25, Incorrect 3. Lunchtime stop 40: Short paper 7/3 6 29.Fed moisture to 4. Warning sign 47. Dry witha cloth 33. Diner sign 5, Sleep noise 42. Baking appliance 34. Slit 6. Short sleep 48. Set right 35.Shade of blue 7. Social insect 45. Affront 36. Records again 8, Rubber ring 46. Become bored 38. Person receiving 9. Pinkish red 47. Nastiness money 10. Hunch 48. Protein source 39. Roof timber 11. Bird's bill 51. Cunning 41, Ladies 19. Female bleater Affirmative 44, Procedure 21. Sports building answer