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According to SGI, Kletchko should never have been issued the plate in the first place. The Crown does not permit vanity plates with slogans that have political connotations, derogatory terms or references to drug use. SGI plates are the property of the Crown, and are not meant to be political in nature.

“It’s important to us that we stay politically neutral, understanding that politics of any sort can be quite divisive in the community. So our objective is to maintain neutrality,” said SGI’s VP of Licensing, Customer and Vehicle Services J.P. Cullen during a phone interview.

Cullen said SGI became aware of the plate after getting three or four complaints. He said Kletchko’s plate was approved “in error.”

“We recognize the inconvenience that we’ve caused this gentleman,” he said.

Kletchko said getting the plate was a nod to the friendly banter between him and his real estate agent, who despises Trump and jokingly refers to Kletchko by the nickname “MAGA.”

Kletchko has a different view of the president.

“Anyone who does their research would know the guy’s not an evil guy. He’s villified,” said Kletchko, who was born in Regina but briefly lived in Dayton, Ohio during his childhood.

Photo by BRANDON HARDER / Regina Leader-Post

Although he isn’t an American, Keltchko has an affinity for American values and the concept of freedom of speech.

He said he’s never been confronted or experienced any hostility over the plate. He’s baffled by why someone would be so offended that they would contact SGI.

“Are we not supposed to be an open society with freedom of expression and free speech? And now I have to sell my soul, my integrity, for 30 pieces of silver.”

Kletchko understands the plate is the property of the government. However, he doesn’t agree with the policy of not permitting political slogans.

“Anything could be a political slogan. I mean, if you assume that a licence plate means something because you choose to assume that, that’s up to you. I mean, if you choose to be offended, I’m offended that you’re choosing to be offended,” he said.

Cullen said Kletchko has the right to express himself; he just can’t do it through a government-issued licence plate.

“He can use a bumper sticker, he can shrink-wrap his car, he can do all sorts of things. But the fact remains that the licence plate is Crown property, and we don’t allow political slogans on that property,” said Cullen.

Kletchko has yet to decide if he’ll turn the plate in.

“I’m going to think about it. I’m going to see what I should do and what I shouldn’t do. But in giving the plate back for 30 pieces of silver, that goes against every bit of freedom of choice and freedom of speech that I hold dear.”