MINTO – A delegation calling on Minto council to ban all banners and flags on public property with the exception of the Town flag, Canadian flag and Legion banners was back before council last night to clarify their position.
Organizer Jim Dopfer maintained they were not targeting the 2SLGBTQI+ community, or the commemoration policy council was considering including a provision to fly the Pride flag at the Minto administration building every June.
However, some supporters of the petition, including Minto residents Tom McDonald and Irma Devries, specifically mentioned the 2SLGBTQI+ community when asking questions of council.
Deputy Mayor Jean Anderson opposed the petition and expressed concern with the proposal, suggesting it would prevent the Town from honouring groups like first responders and others.
Mayor Dave Turton says council will be considering the group’s concerns as it drafts a new commemoration policy.
In a written statement, the Chair of the Minto Pride Committee, Brayden Scott said, “We seem to forget that these inclusivity banners don’t take anyone’s rights away or represent one single voice.”
Scott’s statement also said it is the committee’s wish “that one day we will no longer need a Pride month…and that everyone will be treated with dignity and respect.” Until that day, Scott’s statement read that it’s important for the Town of Minto to celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can read Scott’s full statement below.
Council gave its feedback to staff on the commemoration policy. In the meantime, council will also consider the concerns of the neutral spaces delegation and take those concerns into account when drafting the new policy.
The commemoration policy will be back before council next month.
**UPDATED from a previous version to add comment from the Minto Pride Committee.
