A litigious retired federal IT consultant has won $19,000 from the Federal Court because the St. John’s Airport Authority wished him a “happy St. Patrick’s Day” only in English..“The older I get, the more I realize federal institutions continue to violate my rights,” said Michel Thibodeau of Ottawa. “The more I realize that one day I will die and still they will not respect my rights.”.Blacklock’s Reporter said Thibodeau has filed hundreds of Federal Court claims for cash payments and letters of apology over technical breaches of the Official Languages Act. Section 77 of the Act states any person who has filed a complaint “may apply to the Court for a remedy.”.The court was told Thibodeau typically used internet searches to look for trivial violations at federally regulated workplaces like airports. Thibodeau filed six complaints against the St. John’s Airport Authority for offences like “failing to ensure its website is fully bilingual.”.“Mr. Thibodeau had not visited the St. John’s Airport himself,” wrote Justice Sébastien Grammond. “He ascertained the facts through research on the internet.”.The Court ordered St. John’s to pay $5,000 in compensation and $6,000 in costs..In a separate case, Thibodeau filed five complaints against the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority. Breaches included English-only tweets and badges worn by Travellers Aid volunteers..“Such communications are intended for the public and must be in both official languages,” wrote Grammond. The Edmonton Authority was ordered to pay $5,000 in damages and $3,900 in costs..Edmonton airport managers called Thibodeau a serial complainer who typically demanded $1,500 cash payments for each grievance. “In most cases these complaints are based on internet research,” the court was told..Thibodeau has also filed federal lawsuits against the Bank of Canada and National Capital Commission for using English-only “caution” signs at construction sites. He once sued the Department of Public Works for $19,500 after spotting an English sign that read: “Danger Due To Work Overhead.”.“I feel my rights have been violated with such a unilingual English or predominantly English display,” Thibodeau testified in a separate 2020 case. “It causes me frustration, stress, and loss of enjoyment of life.”.Thibodeau earlier sued the Senate for $1,500 for posting an English-only “push” sign over a water fountain and in 2014 went to the Supreme Court of Canada seeking $18,982 in damages after an English-speaking Air Canada flight attendant misunderstood his French and served him Sprite instead of 7-Up..The Supreme Court in a 5-2 decision said the airline did not have to pay.
A litigious retired federal IT consultant has won $19,000 from the Federal Court because the St. John’s Airport Authority wished him a “happy St. Patrick’s Day” only in English..“The older I get, the more I realize federal institutions continue to violate my rights,” said Michel Thibodeau of Ottawa. “The more I realize that one day I will die and still they will not respect my rights.”.Blacklock’s Reporter said Thibodeau has filed hundreds of Federal Court claims for cash payments and letters of apology over technical breaches of the Official Languages Act. Section 77 of the Act states any person who has filed a complaint “may apply to the Court for a remedy.”.The court was told Thibodeau typically used internet searches to look for trivial violations at federally regulated workplaces like airports. Thibodeau filed six complaints against the St. John’s Airport Authority for offences like “failing to ensure its website is fully bilingual.”.“Mr. Thibodeau had not visited the St. John’s Airport himself,” wrote Justice Sébastien Grammond. “He ascertained the facts through research on the internet.”.The Court ordered St. John’s to pay $5,000 in compensation and $6,000 in costs..In a separate case, Thibodeau filed five complaints against the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority. Breaches included English-only tweets and badges worn by Travellers Aid volunteers..“Such communications are intended for the public and must be in both official languages,” wrote Grammond. The Edmonton Authority was ordered to pay $5,000 in damages and $3,900 in costs..Edmonton airport managers called Thibodeau a serial complainer who typically demanded $1,500 cash payments for each grievance. “In most cases these complaints are based on internet research,” the court was told..Thibodeau has also filed federal lawsuits against the Bank of Canada and National Capital Commission for using English-only “caution” signs at construction sites. He once sued the Department of Public Works for $19,500 after spotting an English sign that read: “Danger Due To Work Overhead.”.“I feel my rights have been violated with such a unilingual English or predominantly English display,” Thibodeau testified in a separate 2020 case. “It causes me frustration, stress, and loss of enjoyment of life.”.Thibodeau earlier sued the Senate for $1,500 for posting an English-only “push” sign over a water fountain and in 2014 went to the Supreme Court of Canada seeking $18,982 in damages after an English-speaking Air Canada flight attendant misunderstood his French and served him Sprite instead of 7-Up..The Supreme Court in a 5-2 decision said the airline did not have to pay.
