Non-profit group to take MPI to court over Trek-themed plate

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This article was published 31/07/2017 (3002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A national non-profit legal organization has applied to take Manitoba Public Insurance to court over the revocation of a Winnipeg man’s Star Trek-themed licence plate.

Nicholas Troller first put the plate, which reads “ASIMIL8” — a reference to the Star Trek aliens called the Borg — on his family’s vehicle in 2015, bordered by a frame bearing other Trek references such as “WE ARE THE BORG” and “RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.” MPI later said the plate is offensive to Indigenous people.

John Carpay, president of the the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, says he believes the revocation was a violation of Troller’s freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Assimilate is a neutral word, not a profanity or a vulgarity,” he said Monday, later acknowledging the word has both positive and negative connotations. However, Carpay added, Troller’s plate is “clearly” a reference to Star Trek.

In an affidavit sworn on July 27, Troller echoed that notion.

“The word ‘assimilate’ is just a word — it is neither good nor bad,” Troller wrote. “We assimilate nutrients into our bodies in order to live. A student assimilates information in class. A company can assimilate good corporate practices. The word’s meaning and connotation are entirely changeable and dependent on context, like many other common words.”

In April, MPI informed Troller his plate was “considered offensive” and asked him to surrender it and, at no charge, apply to replace the personalized slogan or receive a full refund.

At that time, the Crown corporation didn’t specify how the plate was offensive but maintained its right to recall any plates deemed inappropriate in accordance with the Drivers and Vehicles Act, which states the plates are Crown property. As MPI requested, Troller turned in his plate on May 1.

“While the term ‘ASIMIL8’ was intended to be a Star Trek reference, MPI believes that a significant segment of Manitoba’s population would reasonably find it to be inappropriate and offensive,” Trevor Brown, a lawyer representing MPI, wrote in a letter dated July 7. “The word ‘assimilate’ has become closely associated with the harm occasioned by the Indian residential schools system.”

“Based on the historical context, MPI has concluded that the ‘ASIMIL8’ licence plate is inappropriate and offensive. The previous decision to issue the plate was taken in error, and once MPI recognized that error it had valid grounds to require Mr. Troller to surrender (the) plate.”

A hearing on the application before a Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench judge is scheduled for Aug. 16.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca