Woman files complaint against Couche-Tard over scooter

A Montreal woman is accusing Couche-Tard of discrimination and has filed a complaint with Quebec's Human Rights Commission after she was refused entry into one of the chain's stores, on the West Island.

The giant retail chain said it has tried to accommodate the woman's needs.

Effy Louridas, 60, uses a motorized scooter to get around.

Last summer, Louridas went out to run some errands and stopped by her local Couche-Tard convenience store, where a clerk refused to let her in.

She said the clerk told her she couldn't come into the crowded store because he was concerned about the product displays.

"They always panic about knocking things over off their shelves," Louridas said.

After the store refused to let her in on two other occasions, the 60-year-old decided to file a human rights complaint.

Couche-Tard said Louridas is not allowed inside the store because she ran over someone's foot a year ago.

Louridas denies this ever happened.

Couche-Tard spokeswoman Melissa Lessard said they have made accommodations to continue serving her.

Store clerks are prepared to do the shopping for her and bring it to the cash so she can pay, Lessard said.

Disability rights activist Linda Gauthier said you can't ban someone from a store for running over a customer's foot.

"It can happen to anyone who is walking inside," she said. "It is pure discrimination."

Louridas is seeking $6,000 in damages and wants to see electric doors and wide isles implemented in every corner store.