Jan 30, 2009 - 06:22 AM

By Carola Vyhnak

Comments (11)

OSHAWA -- Don Cherry loves it when kids talk to him. But an Oshawa teen has been banned from his job as a volunteer cameraman at the General Motors Centre for doing just that.

Billy Steele, 17, was told approaching a celebrity like Mr. Cherry a few weeks ago was against the rules. The company that runs the centre, Global Spectrum, said Billy is no longer welcome in the building in his capacity as a volunteer with Rogers TV, which covers OHL games there.

The edict outraged Billy's father, Bill Steele, who's filed a human rights complaint alleging workplace discrimination because his son has a severe learning disability.

Cherry said he is "infuriated" with Global Spectrum over the incident.

"I resent the fact that (they've) brought my name into firing a young kid who comes up and asks me about my ties," he said.

The brief encounter Jan. 14 wasn't an issue for the flamboyant Hockey Night in Canada commentator.

"I love it when kids come up and are friendly like that. I welcome kids – that's why I wear those goofy ties," he said, offering to talk to Global Spectrum to get Billy his job back.

The hockey fan was thrilled to meet his idol and joke about Mr. Cherry's colourful wardrobe.

"I love that guy," Billy said. "Just having him make eye contact, it's like, `Holy crap!' He was an awesome guy – unbelievable."

Billy had been warned "numerous times" about violating procedures, which include not initiating conversations with celebrities, said Vince Vella, general manager of the city-owned facility. The Cherry chat was the latest in a series of infractions, he said. "This young man ... continuously fails to comply."

Mr. Vella said they'll review the matter next year, but in the meantime Billy can work in Rogers' truck in the parking lot. Rogers could not be reached for comment.

The teen said the policy was news to him. He says his work at "Rogers College" was his ticket to a career.

"I'm one of their top cameramen," he said. "I want to get a job there one day. ... I'm trying to do something for myself that I actually like."

Billy had a history of getting in trouble with the law and doing poorly in school, his father explained. But since befriending the Oshawa Generals more than a year ago and working with Rogers, he's turned his life around. "Now he's 100 per cent on the right track."

Steele said Billy's disability sometimes causes him to ignore rules.

"Saying hello to Don Cherry is not a crime," said Mr. Steele. "Where's a little discretion here? Where's a little explanation?"

He has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal against Global Spectrum and the city of Oshawa, claiming $100,000 for punitive damages and Billy's future lost wages.