The Surrey Knights junior hockey team鈥檚 owners are seeking $250,000 in compensation for alleged injuries to their 鈥渄ignity, feelings and self-respect鈥� from the Pacific Junior Hockey League and its president Ray Stonehouse, in separate Human Rights Code complaints.
The complaints, lodged by Amar Gill and John Craighead before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, have not been proven at any hearing.
Gill is of Indian descent and Craighead is black. Gill owns 55 per cent of the franchise and Craighead, 45 per cent of the Surrey Knights hockey team, which is a member of the PJHL, for players ages 16 to 20 in this province.
鈥淐urrently, all other active owners and coaches in the league, and all of the members of the PJHL鈥檚 executive, are Caucasian,鈥� Tribunal member Catherine McCreary noted in a issued April 18.
Both complainants allege they were discriminated against by the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and Stonehouse on the basis of their race, colour and ancestry contrary to the BC Human Rights Code.
Craighead claims that from the outset of his involvement with the PJHL he experienced racial discrimination from fans and teams which, he alleges, the league made no effort to prevent. He also alleges he and Gill have been treated 鈥渕ore unfavorably鈥� than the other owners.
Other remedies they鈥檙e seeking under the Code include a declaration of discrimination, an order that the alleged discrimination be stopped, compensation for lost wages stemming from decisions made against them, and compensation for fines, fees and expenses they incurred defending themselves against the respondents鈥� alleged discriminatory actions. They are also seeking that the league be ordered to implement 鈥渁n equality program that promotes the inclusion of all persons in the League, including those who come from minority groups, characterized by racial, religious, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression status.鈥�
Craighead is seeking $100,000 in compensation from the PJHL and $100,000 from Stonehouse, and Gill is seeking $25,000 from the PJHL and $25,000 from Stonehouse.
Stonehouse directed the Now-Leader鈥檚 request for comment to his lawyer, George Cadman.
鈥淚t shouldn鈥檛 surprise you to know that Mr. Stonehouse denies the allegations,鈥� Cadman said. 鈥淗e denies the allegations but the full response will not be filed for some time.
鈥淭he complaint response isn鈥檛 due for some time yet,鈥� Cadman added. 鈥淲hen it is filed, it will be a public filing, and that鈥檚 a way鈥檚 away. The Tribunal will set a time table for that filing.鈥�
tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com
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