Story Archive

The Devil’s in the Details

“I’m not a young punk trying to rebel. It’s just a memorial,” says Daniel D’Aloisio, 42, of Etobicoke, Ont., Canada. At issue is his personalized license plate, which the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is demanding he return, even though he’s had it on his car for 15 years. “Any combination that could be perceived by the general public as religious subject matter, messaging or meaning is not permitted,” the Ministry says. “Since licence plates are the property of the Crown and are issued by the ministry, and they are constantly in the public eye, the ministry must avoid giving the impression that it is prepared to offend some people at the request of others.” D’Aloisio claims the plate isn’t religious, but rather hockey-themed: “It was a combination of what I wanted to say about Mario Lemieux, the six Stanley Cups I shared with my dad, and all the people in my family.” Lemieux wore number 66 on his jersey. D’Aloisio’s license plate: VI6SIX, which the one person who complained about it reads as 666. (RC/Toronto Star) ...On the other hand, in Canada ice hockey is a religion.