Sean Myers . Canwest News Service . Saturday, March 22, 2008

CALGARY — More Calgarians have been coming forward with allegations of discrimination in local nightclubs since a human-rights decision came down in favour of a Vancouver man who was denied entrance into Tequila Bar and Grill. The panel decision this week said the bar discriminated against Jaspal Randhawa on July 9, 2004, based on the colour of his skin and the fact he wore a turban. Tequila Bar and Grill has been ordered to apologize to Randhawa and pay him $5,000 in damages.

The bar’s owners have denied the allegation and say they are considering an appeal.

Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart, the chairwoman and sole member of a human-rights panel, said she has been contacted by other people who claim the same thing happened to them.

“I’ve had a number of e-mails and phone calls. Some are from the multicultural community in Calgary that are very pleased with the decision, and I’m hearing of other cases of discrimination in bars,” said Colley-Urquhart, who is a commissioner with the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission.