Posted on 08/16/2007 9:53:10 AM PDT by Alouette
A blind Vancouver man who was shunned by a taxi driver who didn't want a guide dog in his cab has reached a $2,500 settlement with North Shore Taxi.
Bruce Gilmour, 49, had called a cab from a West Vancouver coffee shop after a day of skiing in November 2006.
But North Shore Taxi driver Behzad Saidy, a Muslim, refused to transport Gilmour and his golden retriever Arden, saying his religion prevents him from associating with dogs. Gilmour, who has been blind for 30 years, filed a human rights complaint, alleging discrimination. "I'm tired of defending my dignity," he said Wednesday.
Last Friday - three days before a B.C. human rights tribunal hearing - Gilmour reached a settlement with the taxi company.
The agreement, issued by the tribunal, attempts to balance the rights of blind people with guide dogs to obtain taxi service with the rights of Muslim cab drivers to follow their personal beliefs.
Gilmour said he will donate part of the monetary settlement to the Az-zahraa Islamic Centre in Richmond after receiving help from Imam Syed Jaffir, and to B.C. Guide Dog Services. They will likely get $500 to $700 each, he said.
Under the terms of the settlement, North Shore Taxi was ordered to immediately establish a policy forbidding any driver to refuse a fare from a blind person accompanied by a certified guide dog.
The only exceptions are for drivers allergic to dogs and those who satisfy the company that they have an honest religious belief that precludes them from transporting certified guide dogs.
However, such drivers must call dispatch for the next available cab, give their name to the blind person and remain with the person until the next cab arrives.
Anyone who breaches the policy will be suspended for two shifts for a first offence and be subject to termination for a second offence.
Blind people will not be required to inform dispatch of their disability.
"It's a landmark in my life," Gilmour said. "This is not binding with any other cab company, but if a person in White Rock or Coquitlam winds up in the same situation, my case will now raise the bar."
William Thornton, chief executive of B.C. Guide Dog Services, said Gilmour's experience was "all too common." There are about 150 guide dogs in B.C.
Gilmour, who uses taxis regularly, said he's been fighting such discrimination since 1985, when he got his first guide dog.
He said he's argued with cabbies who have refused to allow the dog in their cars and has been passed up by taxis as he waits on the curb. He and his guide dog rarely encounter problems with other types of public transportation, he said.
"I'm humiliated and frustrated and it's an awkward position having to go into defending your rights because you're blind," Gilmour said.
North Shore Taxi officials could not be reached Wednesday.
But Saidy, the cab driver, claims he also suffered discrimination because he was told by a citizenship judge 15 years ago that he could practise his religion and culture.
He said that as a Muslim, he cannot associate with dogs because they are considered impure.
Saidy said he often walks disabled people to their door or helps them into cabs and, in Gilmour's case, he called the dispatcher to order another cab to collect him and Arden.
"I felt for [Gilmour]. I'm sorry for him but I'll never be sorry for what I did because I try to help people all the time," he said.
"I have lots of customers who are blind or disabled...but I can't be close to the dog.
"In my own company they say if you don't take the dog you're going to be fired. This is torture for me." Saidy said he agreed to the settlement because his religion was finally respected and he was exempt from picking up guide dogs. But, he adds, he's not optimistic that's going to happen.
"I don't trust anymore," he said.
W. T. F.????????
Blind Skiing?? man, that dog must REALLY be good......
As a Past President of a LIONS Club, based on this behavior, I say to Fr. “Tiny in the Neatherlands”, No, I will not call God; Allah. We cannot spit on clay and put our hands to a blind man’s eyes as Jesus did. But we can do something, and that does not include casting the blind aside.
Muslims can’t have dogs for pets?
‘North Shore Taxi driver Behzad Saidy, a Muslim, refused to transport Gilmour and his golden retriever Arden, saying his religion prevents him from associating with dogs.’
Yes, dogs are intelligent and loyal. Muslims hate anything like that, they are far happier with snakes, scorpions and goats.
‘Muslims can’t have dogs for pets?’
They believe having a dog in the house is very unlucky, whereas most decent people believe having a muslim in the house is far more unlucky. . . . .
WTF?
“and has been passed up by taxis as he waits on the curb.”
How would he know?
So the human rights tribunal caved.
The blind are inferior to their Muslim masters, as far as the government of Canada is concerned.
Though I’m sure I’ll get flamed for this, but frankly, it doesn’t sound to me like the cab driver was being particularly unreasonable. He called the guy another cab—what, this guy can’t wait five minutes for another cab to come around the corner?
These cults are so confusing. Are people who have dogs impure? Can a muslim associate with an impure person? Can't have alcohol in the cab, but what about an alcoholic? Can a muslim taxi driver pick up an alcoholic? Or someone who just came out of a bar? Or just ate a pork chop or barbeque sandwich? Or is just dogs they don't like? Any cult masquerading as a religion that considers a dog impure is not Holy nor of God. They don't like dogs. They are afraid of women...how did this cult ever become popular???
I agree with you, he did seem to try and help the guy.
Pat a dog........no
Rape a goat.... .yes
You forgot sheep.
Send this lying bastard to GITMO so we can torture him with lemon chicken with green bean almondene and honey glazed carrots.
Wife and I help train puppies for the local guide dog school. One blind lady regain her ability to run after receiving her dog. First time she ran in years. She use to be a competitive Marathon runner befoer she became blind. It is impressive the things they can do. Maybe this was cross country skiing, or just having fun on the bunny hills with some friends.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.