Motel Owner Loses Appeal Over Remark To Native Man

Motel Owner Loses Appeal Over Remark To Native Man

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 13:47

A Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench judge has upheld a human rights tribunal ruling that awarded a First Nations man with $7,000.

Leslie Tataquason testified in 2008 that his treatment by a Saskatoon motel owner, John Pontes, triggered memories of his time in residential school and foster care.

Tataquason was having a coffee with his wife, who worked at the Howard Johnson Inn, now the Northwoods Inn & Suites, when Pontes told him to “get out now, this isn’t the Friendship Centre.”

The tribunal ruled he was denied service at the restaurant on the basis of his ancestry, contrary to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

Pontes appealed, asking his version of events to be considered.

Pontes chose not to attend the tribunal, and the appeal was dismissed.