The Tim Hortons apologizes for an incident involving two homeless people outside a franchise in the western city of Vancouver.
Photo Credit: CBC

Iconic coffee shop apologizes for dousing homeless

The Tim Hortons coffee chain has apologized after someone from one of its Vancouver shops poured water under two sleeping homeless men last Friday.

Peggy Morrison, who works across the street from the shop on Robson Street, said she saw a man come out and deliberately pour water under the man’s blankets to ensure a good soaking. He then poured the remains under a second man sleeping on the other side of the door.

Company investigates

The Tim Hortons company launched an internal investigation after the incident was widely criticized on Twitter and Facebook. In an email, it said the owner of the franchise “is committed to personally apologizing and making amends with this individual. He will also be making a meaningful donation to Belkin House, a local Vancouver shelter.”

Another panhandler outside the store said that some people sleep there and leave a lot of garbage. However he said store employees have always been nice to him, often bringing him soup and coffee.

It’s estimated 235,000 people experience homelessness in a given year in Canada.

Tim Hortons shops are found all over Canada and are an extremely popular stop for coffee, doughnuts and small meals.

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