CCLA General Counsel Alan Borovoy has complained to Transport Minister Jean Lapierre about the actions of VIA Rail Canada in twice kicking a Sikh law student off of its trains. This action was in response to passenger complaints about his kirpan, a small ceremonial sword, which his religion requires him to carry. CCLA said that VIA should consider the religious freedom of its passengers as well as the interests of safety. In any event, Borovoy criticised the "selective" nature of their safety concerns. After all, he said, "youthful passengers carry hockey sticks, skates, and baseball bats when they travel by train. It does not require an extreme exercise of imagination to envision how such instruments could readily become weapons." CCLA also noted that first class passengers are provided with eating utensils that often include knives. In Borovoy's words: "does VIA management believe that the ability to pay the first-class fare makes these passengers a more acceptable risk?"