Let's roll. Enough is enough. BC Transit and Translink users such as myself and
Lisa Arlin have sustained enough abuse being disabled and relying on service dogs for our disabilities.
A class-action complaint has been filed against BOTH entities in a single complaint.
Individual Legal Name: Jessica Simpson
Preferred name: Jessica
Use my preferred name: When talking to me, When writing to me, In decision in addition to my legal name
How do you want to be addressed: Ms.
Pronoun: She
Person who will communicate with the Tribunal:
Title: N/A
Pronoun N/A
Suitability of Representative
Are you a member of the group or class? Yes
If no, what is your relationship to the group or class, if any?
Why are you filing the complaint? Issues with Translink and their discriminatory service dog policies. They are also doing this to other service dog owners, refusing service
Are your interests in the complaint different from the group or class members’ interests? No
Do you have reason to believe that group or class members may not want you to make this complaint on their behalf? No
Have you notified the group or class about the complaint? Yes
If yes, please explain how you notified the group or class about the complaint. Instant Messaging Communication
How will you communicate with the group or class members? Due to accessibility needs, this will be over email
Declarations
I declare that I:
have no interest that conflicts with those of the group or class members;
understand the nature of the proceeding;
will resign as Representative if a conflict of interest arises;
will act in good faith;
will give information to the group or class about my role, how the complaint process works, how long it takes, and what the outcomes may be;
will focus on the group or class members’ rights to protection against discrimination under the Human Rights Code;
will keep the group or class members up-to-date about what steps I have taken, what stage we are at, and what to expect next;
will be available to the group or class members to answer their questions;
will tell the group or class members my plan for how they may take part in the process;
will do the job of a Representative, including:
Suitability of Complaint
Describe the Group or Class The group consists of service dog owners in British Columbia who have not yet gone through, decided not to, or have unsuccessfully proceeded with the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog certification test. The group consists of disabled individuals in BC.
Explain how the alleged discrimination is similar for all group or class members
Respondent Contact Information
Name of the Respondent: Translink
Relationship to you:
Mailing Address:
287 Nelson's Ct #400, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 0E7
Phone number: NA
Cell phone number: NA
Respondent Contact Email: NA
Respondent Contact Fax: NA
Name of the Respondent: BC Transit
Relationship to you:
Mailing Address:
520 Gorge Road East, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 9T5
Phone number: NA
Cell phone number: NA
Respondent Contact Email: NA
Respondent Contact Fax: NA
Area and Grounds
What is the Area of Discrimination? Services
What are the Grounds of Discrimination and related details?
Physical Disability: Members of the class may have physical disabilities such as mobility impairments, hearing impairments, diabetes, etc and really on a service dog.
Mental Disability: Members of the class may have mental disabilities such as PTSD, Depression and rely on a service animal.
Details of the Discrimination
Respondent: Translink
Describe the harm the group or class members experienced in a few words: Members of the group have been denied service onto community buses, buses, skytrains, seabuses, handcarts and other services provided by Translink due to having an uncertified service dog. They have also sustained abusive behaviours from Translink staff / contractors as well due to such.
Explain how the harm relates to the grounds you have selected before: The organization refuses to allow disabled riders to board transit with their uncertified service animals. This causes harm.
Give details about this Respondent’s conduct that you say is discrimination:
Conduct: The organization refuses to allow disabled riders to board transit with their uncertified service animals. This causes harm.
Date: 2022-09-01
Respondent: BC Transit
Describe the harm the group or class members experienced in a few words: The organization refuses to allow disabled riders to board transit with their uncertified service animals. This causes harm. They also say for riders to have their service dogs in cages on their laps. Some service dogs are close to 100 lb.
Explain how the harm relates to the grounds you have selected before: The organization refuses to allow disabled riders to board transit with their uncertified service animals. This causes harm.
Give details about this Respondent’s conduct that you say is discrimination:
Conduct: The organization refuses to allow disabled riders to board transit with their uncertified service animals. This causes harm.
Date: 2022-09-01
Time limit to make Complaint
For each Respondent, what is the date of the most recent event that you say is discrimination?
Respondent: Translink
What is the date of the most recent event that you say is discrimination? 2022-09-01
Did the most recent conduct happen in the last year? Yes
Respondent: BC Transit
What is the date of the most recent event that you say is discrimination? 2022-09-01
Did the most recent conduct happen in the last year? Yes
Did all of the conduct happen in the last year for all Respondents? Yes
Other proceedings
Does the group or class have another proceeding about the same events? No
Remedies
Select the kinds of remedies you want: Declaration that the conduct is discrimination, Order to stop the discrimination, Compensation for injury to dignity, feelings, and self-respect, Steps or programs to address the discrimination (examples: training, policy), Compensation for lost wages or other expenses such as moving expenses, photocopying, costs of attending the hearing (keep receipts)
Mediation
Do you want to attend a mediation? Yes
Indigenous Peoples
I am Indigenous and I want the Tribunal to contact me about the process.
Demographic Information
Indigenous Identity N/A
Racial Identity N/A
Immigration Status N/A
Primary Language N/A
Disability requiring accommodation in employment and services N/A
Gender Identity N/A
Sexual Orientation N/A
Age N/A
Household N/A
Household Income After Tax N/A
I confirm that the information in this complaint form is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief