'ASIMIL8': Licence plate fight may be headed to court

[Tennis]

A Canadian non-profit legal organization is intervening on behalf of a Star Trek fan fighting to use a personalized licence plate deemed offensive by Manitoba’s public insurance company.

Nick Troller’s licence plate with the text “ASIMIL8” was confiscated by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) in April after the Crown Corporation received complaints from two Indigenous people about its reference to the word “assimilate.” Troller was told to surrender his plate and that he could either buy a new personalized plate or receive a refund for the old one.

According to MPI’s policy, plates can’t contain words, phrases or innuendoes that “may be considered offensive.” Licence plates are the property of the Crown and there isn’t an appeal process.


Troller defended his custom plate as a simple reference to the Borg, Star Trek villains with the threatening catchphrase “you will be assimilated,” that he says is made obvious by his licence plate holder that reads: “WE ARE THE BORG. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.”

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms are advocating for Troller to get the plate back, because they say MPI’s decision violates his freedom of expression.

The organization’s founder, John Carpay, says that the government has to make a choice when it comes to freedom of expression.

“Either we have the right to express ourselves to say what we think and believe or we have a right not to be offended,” Carpay told CTV Winnipeg on Tuesday. “When there’s a conflict between those two, and there always is, government ought to come down on the side of free expression.”

The JCCF said they will be filing paper work to bring the case to court after the MPI refused their request to return Troller’s licence plate.

“It’s important to hold governments accountable when they violate our freedom of expression,” Carpay said.

Troller’s predicament has drawn comparisons to another legal battle over a personalized licence plate in Nova Scotia.

Lorne Grabher had his plate with the text “GRABHER,” his last name, revoked after it was deemed offensive to women. The case attracted international headlines and is headed to court early next year thanks to the help of the JCCF.

"Canadians are becoming increasingly less tolerant of free expression," Carpay said in April. “You have more and more people who believe that they have a legal right to go through life without seeing or without hearing things they find to be offensive."

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/asimil8...ourt-1.3499283

Really? He expects us to have sympathy and be on his side over a vanity license plate? Shape up son. Reconciliation and treating people fairly is more important than your license plate.

[I Push Buttons]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/asimil8...ourt-1.3499283

Really? He expects us to have sympathy and be on his side over a vanity license plate? Shape up son. Reconciliation and treating people fairly is more important than your license plate.

How is referencing Star Trek treating people unfairly?

[Shibito]

You tell them tennisface mmo champion is changing the world cause of you!

[alduron]

How is referencing Star Trek treating people unfairly?

They might be Star Wars fans.

[Serpha]

All 2 people complained and it warrants treating people like shit???

[Mister Cheese]

All 2 people complained and it warrants treating people like shit???

Nobody can be offended.

[Forgettable]

Big Brother Tennisace is here to save us, hurraa!

[Soulfròst]

Yep, God forbid someone gets offended in this day and age. Nobody's allowed to hurt your special feelings. It's impossible to just ignore things. Someone tells you that you look dumb out on the street and they should be arrested, right?

[Nirawen]

Good, Star Trek is for nerds. Stargate for life.

[Stelio Kontos]

Hurt fee-fees are truly the greatest problem the world has. We've conquered war, hunger, poverty, genocide, and every other social ill.

[Jonnusthegreat]

I think the best part about the article is the Nova Scotia person who was told his last name was offensive and must be changed.

[zEmini]

What a dumb fucking thing to cry over. Canadians just lost their privilege for making fun of Americans when it comes to suing.

[Dys]

Such a nanny state.

[Baelic]

On one hand, I can see how people who don't know Star Trek and don't understand the reference can be offended in certain circumstances... On the other hand, it was made pretty clear that the intent wasn't to cause harm.

That said... and I'm pretty sure I'll get flack for this... I'm on the side of the Driver, it's pretty clear what the intent is, and it was not intended to be hurtful to others.

[King Shark]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/asimil8...ourt-1.3499283

Really? He expects us to have sympathy and be on his side over a vanity license plate? Shape up son. Reconciliation and treating people fairly is more important than your license plate.

Yeah, this guy clearly needs to learn that his freedom is irrelevant and resistance is futile.

[Tennis]

What a dumb fucking thing to cry over. Canadians just lost their privilege for making fun of Americans when it comes to suing.

This isn't crying over. It's 2 citizens using their rights to effect change.

[Xandrigity]

I hate personalized lisence plates they make me want to punch babies.
Bumper stickers, stick people family stickers, all that bullshit.

It's all pointless, waste money and distracting.

[Azadina]

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/asimil8...ourt-1.3499283

Really? He expects us to have sympathy and be on his side over a vanity license plate? Shape up son. Reconciliation and treating people fairly is more important than your license plate.

Why are you going against your soul mate?

[Stelio Kontos]

If you can't do anything because it might offend to randoms you'll never see or talk to again, then we might as all just stay indoors all the time.

[Jonnusthegreat]

This isn't crying over. It's 2 citizens using their rights to effect change.

And one citizen losing rights. Doesn't matter though, he's a male.