Right to Refuse Service?

[SteveToms]

What are the legal reasons for a place of business, namely a restaurant to refuse service?

[driveway]

I'm fairly sure that a private business ultimately has the right to refuse service for any reason which does not conflict with Canada's human rights laws.

Having worked in restaurants, I can tell you that the only reasons I've ever seen it done are if a) the party size exceeds a limit the restaurant has set for itself b) you, or a member of your party, is intoxicated or c) you do not meet a dress code.

I have also, personally, thrown people out of a restaurant for being jerks.

[jammies]

I got kicked out of a bar once for looking like a guy that would cause trouble - not actually causing any trouble, being intoxicated, yelling or doing anything other than waiting for somebody. I wasn't pleased (to put it mildly) but if it's private property, they can do as they please and you can't do much other than tell people they suck and never to go there.

[3 Justin 3]

My boss has thrown people out for being drunk, fighting each other, threatening him, making sexual gestures. I don't know what else besides party size and dress code you could be thrown out for. Stealing would be another I guess.

[AaronSJ]

Legally, a business can refuse service for any reason that is NOT prohibited by the Alberta Human Rights Commission...

...prohibits discrimination in the provision of goods, services, accommodation or facilities customarily available to the public on the basis of the following protected grounds:

• race
• colour
• ancestry
• place of origin
• religious beliefs
• gender (including pregnancy, sexual harassment, and gender identity)
• physical disability
• mental disability
• marital status
• family status
• source of income
• sexual orientation

Age is not a protected ground under this section of the HRCM Act.

http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/providing_goods.asp

So a business actually has quite a bit of freedom to "refuse" business, if it so chooses.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by jammies

I got kicked out of a bar once for looking like a guy that would cause trouble - not actually causing any trouble, being intoxicated, yelling or doing anything other than waiting for somebody. I wasn't pleased (to put it mildly) but if it's private property, they can do as they please and you can't do much other than tell people they suck and never to go there.

And you thought those tear-drop tattoos wouldn't come with any baggage...