A bouncer at a Gatineau bar has been suspended following allegations of racism.
An exchange outside Fou de Roi nightclub in Gatineau was recorded by an onlooker Oct. 20.
In it, the Caucasian bouncer can be heard telling a group of black men (in French) that he had instructions not to let any black people who weren’t regular clients into the bar.
The co-owner of the bar said on Friday they’re taking the incident very seriously and that the bouncer, who was hired through a family business that does security, made a mistake.
“There were no orders . . . not at all,” said Brigit van Houtte. “We need to make sure something like that doesn’t happen again. It’s very troubling and we’re very sorry.”
Dusson Deshommes, who is black, has been DJ-ing at the club for two months and said the bar is welcoming.
“The bar is open to everyone, and I really mean it,” he said. “I’m putting it down to everyone, as long as you respect the employees and the dress code that is put in at the door.”
A number of people have written Immigration Minister Jason Kenny about the incident, with a Facebook page calling for a boycott of the bar.
Anti-racism advocate Ewart Walters said he’s spent years fighting racism in our region and it takes effort to address it.
“Is there racism? Yes there is,” he said. “It might never leave us but what’s important is what we do about it.”
Gatineau police said aren’t commenting because they haven’t received any complaints.
They said they have no information on previous fights at the bar because they’d need to file an access to information request for it.
The woman who filmed the exchange said she didn't want to appear on camera because she's afraid for her safety.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Joanne Schnurr
