Is it discrimination for a store not to let you in because you are a teenager?

Question

There is a store by the school and they don't let any "teenagers" in, is this discrimination (in Canada)? I understand that some teenagers may cause trouble, but it isent fair to asume anyone under a certain age is trouble causing. What action should a take against them?

Troyboy, there are a lot of 40 year old who are also obnoxious. And you were a teenager once too (I would hope).

I understand it is the stores right to refuse service to someone. But it isent right based on age: http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/discrimination/grounds-en.asp
It sais a "provider of services" cannot discriminate based on age.

Answer 1

Get over it.

Answer 2

No, it's not actually discrimination. Store managers/owners can regulate who comes into their stores as can restaurant owners. We have a store here that won't allow more than 2 students (usually teens since you know they are school age) in the store at a time. It's most likely due to a bad experience or a string of theft or other type of activity that could cause the store to suffer monetary loss. There's a restaurant, a Chinese buffet to be exact, in the US here that recently banned a family from eating there because they were wasteful with the food. The family tried to file suit against the retaurant on discrimination, but they lost. If it's something that could potentially cause a business monetary loss, then they can say who can and can not be in the store. Now, I know Canadian law is different than US law, but do they let you in if you're with your parents? It's sad to say that a few misfits can give a bad name to everyone within a certain age group and make it hard for the ones who aren't trouble makers to do things in their communities.

Answer 3

Depends on the type of store if it is an adult store or a beer store or a liquor store then it isn't discrimination.

If it is a corner store or convenience store then yes it is discrimination, and you should let your parents and as many adults as you can know about the way the owners treat their children. In Canada we don't put up with that kind of treatment and stand up for children, I have been in many stores where the clerks have rolled eyes at children, they are patrons too, and should be treated accordingly, I don't mind waiting behind teenagers if they were there before me, I will object if they butt in ahead as well. Fair is fair, and teenagers usually get obnoxious when treated unfairly.

Letting people know that a certain store is not treating its patrons right is a sure way to deal with this, once the word gets around people have no problem going elsewhere to shop.

Answer 4

Canadian law as described on the website that you pointed out is rather vague on the subject. I presume that the the must be the Canadian equivalent of a Court of Appear or Supreme Court that has interpreted how broadly the statute may be interpreted.

Analogous laws here in the U.S. usually allow "reasonable" regulations and not all age categories receive the same protection. It is not uncommon for businesses in the U.S. that are nearly schools to have a high degree of theft from teenagers. Therefore, it is a commonly accepted practices to limited the number of children in a business any any given time or to now allow children without their parents. Not being an expert in Canadian law, I can only speculate regarding courts in your country or province might have ruled on the issue.

Answer 5

Obviously if this involved a race or religion rather than teenagers, there would be a BIG problem. I feel for you, but look at it from the store owner's perspective. They are just trying to protect themselves. The same thing happened to me when I was a kid here in the USA, except that they only let us in 2 at a time. Half of my friends still came out with stolen candy in their pockets. So from my experience, the stereotype is true.

Answer 6

It is, in most cases, considered private property. They have the right to deny access to anyone. The only action you can realistically take against them is to shop at their competition. Sometimes the best way to hurt someone is to damage their "bottom line".

In the strictest terms, a store is not a "provider of services", they are a "provider of merchandise". A hospital would be a good example of a "provider of services"

Answer 7

Q is what kind of store is it? By law, ceratin stores are rqd to
restrict entry to people under 18. If the Store is a more general
type corner store, if there have been difficulties with students at
arrival, recess, lunch or day end times which have not resolved
then believe they have the right to restrict entry to those they
deem unacceptable in their business at that time of day.

Answer 8

That is very unethical of the store!....are you sure that they dont let in teens at all...or teens in groups.

I live in Canada as well, an i know that to enter some places you are not allowed to go in groups.

In a way i understand why they do it (they think all teenagers are bad and out to steal stuff from their stores) but really i think something should be done against this. It is terrible how adults treat teens. Its as though they want us to believe the stereotypes. To me its discusting, and i think something should be done legally.

Answer 9

Some people cause trouble and ruin our reputation foe others. I remember when I was in the Army some soldiers made it difficult to have a friend in the country we were in.
I don't think all teens shoould be treated the same. but bar the ones that miss behave. And probably should be shunned by other teens.

Answer 10

Stores are a private business, and as such, are under NO obligation to allow the general public onto their premisis.

I think it sounds like a case of the few ruining it for everyone. If you want to be angry at someone, maybe you need to direct your anger at the ones that forced the store owner/manager to ban teens from the store. I think it is highly unlikely the owner/manager just woke up one morning and decided that they hated teens, and was not going to allow them to patron their store any longer.

Answer 11

It is discrimination, but it may not be illegal- Believe it or not, just because an establishment discriminates, it may not be breaking the law- for example, a ladies only gym discriminates against men, but it is not illegal.