A New Westminster family says they were denied access to a Port Moody restaurant on New Year’s Day because of their service dog.
John Wynn says his son Matteo, who is autistic, has a assistance dog in training.
Wynn told Global News they arrived at the Boathouse restaurant next to Rocky Point Park, where they had a reservation, and asked for a low table because they had a service dog.
That’s when he says the hostess went to get the manager.
“He basically said, ‘Well, what was the dog’s disability?’ “, Wynn said. “So I’m like, OK, well, it’s none of your business.”
Wynn said they had paperwork for the dog, named Bonnie, but didn’t have it with them. She wore a vest that said “service dog in training.”
“He said, ‘Under Fraser Health regulations, the dog can’t come in without a government ID,’ to which I replied, ‘Well, that one’s a lie’.”
Wynn said they left and he called the Boathouse later and told the manager they were going to press charges about what happened.
He said they went to the Boathouse in New Westminster and were seated without any problems or questions.
But Wynn said Matteo loves coming to Port Moody because he likes looking at the park and the playground with the pirate ship.
Get the latest national news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen.
“It just made everyone feel like we weren’t welcome,” Wynn said. “It’s 2025, you know, he has a disability and he’s smarter than all of us, but it made us feel like we weren’t welcome and we had to explain to him afterwards what happened. past and why we were not welcome.
“This is simply not true. You know, this violated Matteo’s rights. Clear, simple. And made us all uncomfortable.
In a statement, Shah Ghani, chief operating officer of Boathouse, said: “We take this matter very seriously. A thorough investigation is currently underway and we are committed to taking all appropriate measures to resolve this issue.
Gillian MacGregor, government regulatory and human resources advisor for the Restaurant and Food Services Association, told Global News that the restaurant standard is that if a person shows up at a restaurant and asks to eat there with a service dog, she should be allowed there.
“The person doesn’t need to explain their disability,” she said. “They don’t need to produce certification.”
MacGregor said the dog doesn’t even need to wear anything special, but must have the demeanor of a service dog.
“Service dogs are usually chosen for their very gentle, very calm demeanor,” she added.
“So a service dog needs to show this kind of behavior and be under control. And if the dog acts that way, the person says they are disabled, they don’t need to say in what way, then the restaurant should by law accept what they are told and seat the person .
MacGregor said they don’t hear about these issues very often, but it’s important to bring them to light.
Wynn agrees, saying he wanted to speak out to raise awareness.
“In this day and age, things like this shouldn’t happen,” he said.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.