WINNIPEG - A "Star Trek'' fan who had to give up a personalized licence plate says the Manitoba government is acting like a villain on the science fiction series.
Nick Troller is heading to court next month to try to regain his licence plate that bears the message "ASIMIL8.''
It was confiscated in April by the Crown-owned Manitoba Public Insurance after two Indigenous people complained the word ``assimilate'' is offensive because of the long history of government assimilation policies.
But Troller says his plate refers to the catchphrase "you will be assimilated''' used on "Star Trek: The Next Generation'' by aliens called the Borg, who absorb their enemies into a hive-like collective.
In an affidavit, Troller says he is being assimilated by the government bureaucracy and losing his freedom of expression.
He says his licence plate was clearly tied to the "Star Trek'' series, it was in a frame that contained other phrases from the Borg.
Manitoba Public Insurance has not yet filed a response to the legal action, but has previously said that it retains the right to recall plates that might be considered offensive.