-Business owner says she has right to refuse service-
OSOYOOS TIMES-July 2, 2008-
By Paul EverestrnOsoyoos Times
An Osoyoos woman is claiming that a local business has discriminated against her because of what she does for a living.
Christobelle, who asked not to have her last name used because of fears of harassment, said that Osoyoos's Kick Start Printing refused to print her business cards because she performs psychic card readings.
(An employee) said they couldn't do it, she said. He said it's personal reasons.
I said 'Do these personal reasons have something to do with my job?' He said Well, as a matter of fact, they are.'
The order for 500 cards was placed on June 23, Christobelle added, but the store did not tell her they wouldn't do the job until June 26.
She said that ruined her plans to distribute the cards when she performed readings during Canada Day festivities in Osoyoos.
Christobelle said she questions why, if moral qualms were behind the refusal to print the cards, the store didn't turn her down when she first made the order.
If that was the case, why wasn't I told on Monday? she said. Now it's too late.
I think that is so wrong. Everybody needs respect for what they do.
Danielle Henniger, owner of the business, said she feels justified in the decision she and her employees made in refusing Christobelle's order.
This is being blown out of proportion and if it is for religious reasons and us not wanting to print her propaganda, I think that that's our right, she said. I don't want to print her crap.
Morally, I'm against it.
Henniger added that she did suggest that Christobelle approach other printers in the area that could get the cards finished by July 1 and offered to forward her order to another business.
If it's discrimination then why did I say that I'd send her file elsewhere?
