HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO
B E T W E E N:
Christopher Newman
Applicant
-and-
City of Toronto, Greater Toronto Hockey League and
Toronto East Enders Hockey Club
Respondents
interim Decision
Adjudicator: David Muir
Date: November 30, 2009
Citation: 2009 HRTO 2062
Indexed as: Newman v. Toronto (City)
1This Application was filed on April 19, 2009, under section 34 of the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as amended (the “Code”), alleging discrimination in the provision of goods, services and facilities. The applicant has requested an extension of time to February 12, 2010, to complete his reply.
2This Application is one of eleven filed by the applicant, including four Applications pursuant to section 53(5), raising similar facts and issues. The applicant, who identifies as a gay man, claims that the respondents have violated his rights under the Code and alleges that as a member of the public attending minor hockey games he has been required to endure homophobic and other discriminatory slurs. In 2009 HRTO 1288, the Tribunal deferred Applications 2008-00440-I; 2008-00622-I; 2008-00840-I; and 2009-01237-I pending the resolution of a number of preliminary issues raised in the four section 53(5) Applications. Two further Applications raising similar facts and issues, 2009-03163-I and 2009-03166-I, were deferred in 2009 HRTO 1981.
3This Application appears to raise very similar issues and the Tribunal may decide to defer this Application as well. If any party wishes to make submissions on this issue, they may do so within 10 days of the date of this Interim Decision.
Dated at Toronto this 30th day of November, 2009.
“Signed by”
David Muir
Vice-chair