Manitoba war vet's request for D-DAY licence plate twice rejected by MPI before finally getting OK'd
Timothy Yakabowich wanted a personalized "D-DAY" licence plate to honour his father who fought in World War II, but the request 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 guidelines was incorrect," Yakabowich said Tuesday.
"Finally, someone's understanding."
Yakabowich's father served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He was on Juno Beach when it was invaded 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," said Yakabowich, 56.
Yakabowich, now retired, is a veteran himself. He served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry for 22 years, and says he did six tours overseas. He retired April 2008 with the rank of sergeant.
"I purchased a motorcycle and I wanted to get personalized plates, and I requested D-DAY to 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.
Timothy Yakabowich holds a photo of his father at a D-Day anniversary celebration by war memorials in Brandon. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)
Yakabowich had applied for the plate in August 2023. 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 maybe 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 sought the help of the Royal Canadian Legion, an organization that supports veterans and their families, and his MLA, Grant Jackson, who Yakabowich says wrote to the minister of justice on his behalf.
"That process took over two months, and I finally 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.
Timothy Yakabowich, now retired, is a veteran who served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry for 22 years. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)
He received a second 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 something to be proud our 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 that step to ask the registrar to "have a third look at this."
CBC reached out to MPI but was told the insurer wouldn't comment on matters pertaining to individual customers.
Third time's a charm
But on Tuesday, Yakabowich told CBC News the third time was a charm.
"I was totally caught off guard [but] big smiles," he said about 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."
Yakabowich said his dad would have been proud by 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 he instructed the Crown corporation to 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."
Yakabowich hopes to have it time for the 80th anniversary 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 Manitoba to publicly share his frustration with rejected licence plates.
In 2017, MPI revoked a Nicholas Troller's Star 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 in 2019, 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 Press shared examples of other licence plate requests denied by MPI, including HYZNBRG, HOLYCOW, PWALKER, BEAVER, MMMBEER, OVRTAXED, SOBR1 and 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, abusive or 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 slogan Bienvenue is $7.
