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RACISM AT TIM HORTONS

by carl | June 1, 2007 at 02:14 am

1795 views | 10 Recommendations | 3 comments

Submitted by mrmcbinner on Fri, 2007-06-01 02:31.

The following is from one of my best friends. She is a very caring person and I dearly love and respect her. I know she is deeply hurt by this.
Today I read a an article which made my blood boil. I have zero tolerance for racism. I don't care how old/young, educated/stupid you are. THIS HAS TO STOP!!!! i am sick and tired of the disrespect some people show to our beautiful first nations. If you hate them so much, get the f*** back to where ever it is you and your clan come from. We need to smarten up once and for all.

I have contacted Tim Hortons and asking for them to let go of their racist employee or have her make a public apoligy to all first nations if she expects to keep her job. I am sendting this email to everyone I know. I hope you to contact Tim Hortons too. Please voice your opinion. Today is is against natives, tomorrow it could be about you. Please spread the word. Something has to be done.

Here is the article...............

Natives urge Tim's boycott after 'offensive' sign
Updated Wed. May. 30 2007 8:38 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Tim Hortons is dealing with a barrage of complaints after a sign that declared "No Drunken Indians Allowed" was taped to a drive-through window at a location in Southern Alberta.

The company told The Globe and Mail that the poster was an ill-conceived joke posted by a teenage staff member at a Lethbridge location last week.

Since the incident, an email has been circulating among members of native communities calling for a ban on the coffee and doughnuts chain.

"Please do not purchase from these stores," says the email. "It might not make a big impact on their profits, but at least it will let them know that these (types) of discriminatory acts will not be tolerated."

The email also urges people to contact the company's head office in Oakville, Ont. to complain about the "offensive" sign.

Tim Hortons spokesperson Rachel Douglas told The Globe that the company has received the email numerous times.

"This is not something we tolerate and it is not reflective of Tim Hortons," said Rachel Douglas, referring to the sign. "For any offence, I extend my sincerest apologies."

Douglas said she received the first complaint about the sign on Friday.

The staff member, who is not an aboriginal, was suspended from a number of shifts and educated about the company's harassment policies.

The teen has also apologized to two fellow employees who are members of native bands.

Additionally, the outlet's owner sent a letter of regret to the nearby Blood Tribe.

"I think it was one of those youthful things where she just didn't realize and she was made very aware of her actions and the consequences and was very remorseful," said Douglas.

"We decided it was in her best interests -- and a learning experience -- that we didn't terminate, but she has been disciplined and reprimanded."

PLEASE DO SOMETHING. call or email with your opinion.

Customer Service toll-free: 1-888-601-1616

We appreciate your feedback!

Head Office
874 Sinclair Road
Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1
Tel: (905) 845-6511
Fax: (905) 845-0265

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Jordan Yerman

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 06:34 on June 1st, 2007

carl, thans for posting this. I read about this the other day, and it angered me as well. I find myself vacillating on whether or not the employee should be fired(on one hand, she's a "dumb kid",and firing her without her having learned from this would be pointless from a community standpoint; on the other hand, this is costing Tim Horton's a big chunk of potential earnings and reputation, and it's just plain mean--who knows what else an employee like this is capable of), but I agree completely about a public apology. We live in the 21st centry; racism is so 19th-century.

Barry ORegan

at 07:32 on June 1st, 2007

A few years ago a ski resort in nearby Kamloops posted a similar sign that enraged local native communities as well.

I guess not much has changed. I think a public apology doesn't go far enough, case in point the TB traveller, now in quaratine, who possibly infected up to 20 air paasengers, knowing full well his condition issues a public apology over the media. My feeling is okay, fine and dandy, but their apology must come from within prision bars.

howard sharp (not verified)

at 11:36 on March 30th, 2009

The problem with Tim Horton's is largely due to lack of education. Teenagers, highschool dropouts and housewives are fine for serving doughnuts and counting change, but Tim Horton's needs to spend some of their huge profits on hiring legitimate management people to ensure these types of incidents do not occur in the first place. Where was the manager or supervisor when this incident took place?