A Toronto-area man’s human rights challenge over local minor league hockey team names and logos portraying indigenous imagery or words could set a precedent for cities, leagues and even schools across the country. Brad Gallant, a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, filed his application — alleging the names are discriminatory under the Ontario Human Rights Code — in mid-2015. He names five teams — some of which have since changed or modified their logos — whose names or logos he says are offensive and disrespectful to indigenous culture. A precedent could open the doors to other cities and leagues, pretty much anyone deemed “service providers” (one of the groups open to human rights challenges), facing similar challenges. The case will be heard in Toronto by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal starting on Nov. 21.

Source: National Post October 20, 2016 03:22 UTC