SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - An aboriginal man who claims he was thrown out of a Saskatoon restaurant due to his race was disappointed the business owner did not show up at a human rights hearing into the case Thursday.

Leslie Tataquason says that in June 2006 he was thrown out of the Howard Johnson Inn, now known as the Northwood Inn and Suites, after he brought his wife there to her job.

Tataquason said he had stopped for a coffee and had been there about an hour when owner John Portes came along and asked him who he was and what he was doing there.

Tataquason said Portes then told him to leave, saying the restaurant was "not the Friendship Centre."

The reference to the downtown centre for First Nations people had racial overtones, said Tataquason, and made him feel like a bum.

He had hoped to hear Portes side of the dispute at Thursday's hearing, but the restaurateur chose not to participate.

"I wish he had come to terms with being a part of the process so that I can hear his version of how he felt and why he said what he said," said Tataquason.

Although Pontes did not show up at the hearing, in an interview with CBC News, he denied the allegations of racism.

Pontes said he asked Tataquason to leave because the man was interfering with his wife's ability to do her job as a waitress.

The 65-year-old Portuguese immigrant admitted he can come across quite strong at times.

The tribunal, chaired by Saskatoon lawyer Donald Worme, is expected to release its ruling in three to six months.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW