Human rights court throws out salami protest
Vancouver Sun Human rights court throws out salami protest
August 7, 2009 4:01 PM
COQUITLAM, B.C. — A Muslim couple's beef over the salami at a B.C. grocery store
has been dismissed by the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
William and Micheline Issa filed a complaint with the tribunal on behalf of
themselves and their three children, saying the Real Canadian Superstore in the
Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam served them salami containing pork a year ago.
The couple said they eat only 100 per cent beef salami, as consuming pork would
violate their religious beliefs.
The tribunal heard that a deli assistant admitted she mistakenly gave the family
salami that contained pork but said the couple told workers of the error before
receiving the meat.
The Issas said in the complaint that they were concerned they had previously been
served salami containing pork.
Loblaws, which owns the store, had offered to settle the complaint by paying the
couple $5,000 for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect, and giving another
$5,000 to a charity of the couple's choice.
BC Human Rights Tribunal chair Heather McNaughton dismissed the complaint,
citing the "reasonable" settlement, the fact that the deli assistant merely made an
error and the lack of proof that the family was previously served pork salami.
"They continue to shop at the Superstore and to purchase all-beef salami from the
deli," the chair wrote.
Vancouver Sun Human rights court throws out salami protest
August 7, 2009 4:01 PM
COQUITLAM, B.C. — A Muslim couple's beef over the salami at a B.C. grocery store
has been dismissed by the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
William and Micheline Issa filed a complaint with the tribunal on behalf of
themselves and their three children, saying the Real Canadian Superstore in the
Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam served them salami containing pork a year ago.
The couple said they eat only 100 per cent beef salami, as consuming pork would
violate their religious beliefs.
The tribunal heard that a deli assistant admitted she mistakenly gave the family
salami that contained pork but said the couple told workers of the error before
receiving the meat.
The Issas said in the complaint that they were concerned they had previously been
served salami containing pork.
Loblaws, which owns the store, had offered to settle the complaint by paying the
couple $5,000 for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect, and giving another
$5,000 to a charity of the couple's choice.
BC Human Rights Tribunal chair Heather McNaughton dismissed the complaint,
citing the "reasonable" settlement, the fact that the deli assistant merely made an
error and the lack of proof that the family was previously served pork salami.
"They continue to shop at the Superstore and to purchase all-beef salami from the
deli," the chair wrote.
