Manitoba military vet's request for D-DAY licence plate twice rejected by MPI before finally getting OK'd

TimothyYakabowichwanted a personalized "D-DAY" licenceplate to honour his father, who fought in the Second World War, but therequest became a battle in itself.

It was denied by Manitoba Public Insurance twice once for being considered violent, and once for being considered political before finally being approved this week.

"It was definitely a struggle. I'm just fighting the good fight and making people aware that D-Day, how they interpret it within their guidelineswas incorrect," Yakabowichsaid Tuesday.

"Finally, someone's understanding."

Yakabowich's father served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He was part of the invasion of Juno Beach on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day.

"I really wanted this plate in honour of my father who served at D-Day and was severely injured," saidYakabowich, 56.

Yakabowich, now retired, is a veteran himself.He served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantryfor 22 years, andsays he did six tours overseas. He retired in April 2008 with the rank of sergeant.

"I purchased a motorcycle and I wanted to get personalized plates, and I requested D-DAYto commemorate the veterans of the past and current, and to recognize my father who was part of that operation," he said.

"D-Day is almost forgotten and, being a first generation of a veteran, one day we're gonna be around to tell the stories of our fathers or mothers that served."

Yakabowich had applied for the plate in August2023. On Jan.25, he got a letter from MPI informing him that his plate had been denied for a reason described as "violence or related to criminal activity."

"We realize slogans can have different meanings to different people. MPI cannot approve slogans that may be considered offensive, suggestive or not in good taste in any language," the letter stated.

Second request

The letter gave him an option of submitting another request. Yakabowich then wrote a second letter to MPI requesting reconsideration.

He also soughtthe help of the Royal Canadian Legion, an organization that supports veterans and their families, and his MLA, Grant Jackson, who Yakabowichsays wrote to the minister of justice on his behalf.

"That process took over two months, and Ifinally spoke to somebody from MPI who explained to me over the phone that the plate was denied because it's a political issue," Yakabowich said.

He received asecond formal letter of denial from MPI on April 25, which stated the denial of his "requested slogan(s)" was upheld for the reason of being a "political or social movement."

"I can't fathom why D-Day licence plate could possibly offend someone.I thought this plate is somethingto be proudour heritage, of what Canada is, by all cultures," said Yakabowich.

That second letter explained that Yakabowich could appeal the decision within 30 days by writing to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. He took thatstep to ask theregistrar to"have a third look at this."

CBC reached out to MPIbut wastold the insurer wouldn't comment on matters pertaining to individual customers.

Third time's a charm

But on Tuesday,Yakabowichtold CBC News the third time was a charm.

"I was totally caught off guard, [but] big smiles," he saidabout getting an approval letter from the registrar on Monday. "It was just a tremendous feeling.

"If that was rejected it would have been like, your third strike, you're out, and I wouldn't have any more recourse of action to pursue."

Yakabowichsaid hisdad would have been proud of his determination to win the licence plate dispute: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and he knows you have to fight the good fight."

Matt Wiebe, the minister responsible for MPI, was asked on Tuesday whether heinstructed the Crowncorporationto change its mind. He didn't answer directly, but did say he was pleased with the change of heart.

"To me, it sounds like a reasonable request a veteran who's trying to honour the armed services and specifically with regards to D-Day," he said.

"It sounded like something that needed to be looked at again, and I'm glad that MPI is making that change and going to allow that to happen."

Yakabowichhopes to have it time for the 80thanniversary of D-Day on June 6.

"They promised it'll take three to four weeks, roughly," he said.

Other rejected plates

Yakabowich isn't the first Manitoban to publicly share his frustration with rejected licence plates.

In 2017, MPI revoked aNicholas Troller'sStar Trek-themed "ASIMIL8" plate, saying it was deemed offensive to Indigenous people because of the history of government assimilation policies.

Troller took that battle to the courts, but lost.

Then in2019, a Winnipeg man went to court to have his personalized "NDN CAR" licence plate returned after it was deemed offensive by Manitoba Public Insurance. He was able to keep the plate after settling out of court with the insurer.

Referring to court documents in 2019, The Canadian Pressshared examples of other licence plate requests denied by MPI, includingHYZNBRG,HOLYCOW,PWALKER,BEAVER,MMMBEER, OVRTAXED, SOBR1and NOTACOP.

In the letter sent to Yakabowich, MPI refers to its website,where guidelines on personalized licence plates are published. The guidelines call phrases on the plates slogans, and states that slogans can be denied if they are considered:

• Profane, derogatory, abusiveor obscene.
• Sexually suggestive.
• Discriminatory.
• Violent or related to criminal activity.
• Alcohol or drug related.
• Speed-related or promoting risky driving behaviour.
• Religious.
• The name of a political figure, dignitary or law enforcement official.
• Related to political or social movements.
• Intellectual property (such as trademarks).

MPI charges $100 per personalized plate, while the cost of a regular licence plate and a bilingual plate with the sloganBienvenueis $7.

After 2 rejections, Manitoba veteran's request for personalized D-DAY licence plate finally granted

5 months ago

Duration 2:00

Timothy Yakabowich requested a licence plate saying D-DAY to honour his father, who fought in the Second World War. The request was denied by Manitoba Public Insurance twice, as the insurer stated it could be linked to violence and is a political statement.