Restaurant Fined For Failure To Accommodate Patron With Psychological Disabilities

In P.G.v. Groupe Restaurant Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc. o/a Baton Rouge Restaurant ("Groupe"), the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ("HRTO") awarded $12,000 in damages against a franchise restaurant for failing to accommodate the needs of a patron with post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and germaphobia. The restaurant was condemned by the HRTO for the manager's offensive comments and the fact that the applicant patron had previously been accommodated under the restaurant's former management. As reported by the National Post, the order is part of a trend towards an increased responsibility to accommodate "invisible disabilities" under the Ontario Human Rights Code.