Norwich Township Council has voted in favour of a motion calling for a flag policy bylaw and against a motion requesting the proclamation of Pride Month in June.
NORWICH TOWNSHIP - Norwich Township Council will be developing a flag policy bylaw, which states only federal, provincial, and municipal flags will be flown on Township property.
The notice of motion was brought forward by Ward 1 Councillor John Scholten during the March 28th council meeting. That motion was amended just last week to specifically exclude Pride and Progress banners from being installed on streetlights. You can read the full motion that was in the agenda below:
"That a by-law be established to:
- Provide that only the three official government flags (Federal, Provincial, and Municipal) be flown on any Township property,
- Provide that only banners related to promotion of downtown businesses or for downtown beautification be installed on Township owned streetlight poles, which excludes Progress or Pride banners
- Provide that only the three official government flags (Federal, Provincial, and Municipal) be flown on any Township property,
- Provide that only banners related to promotion of downtown businesses or for downtown beautification be installed on Township owned streetlight poles, which excludes Progress or Pride banners
- Provide that the Township participate in the Safe and Well Oxford Steering Committee"
At the start of tonight's meeting, Council heard a total of eight delegations. Three of them were in favour of Scholten's motion and five were against it.
When Scholten's motion first came to the floor for discussion, Mayor Jim Palmer read a similar but different motion that did not include the Pride and Progress banner exclusion that was listed in the agenda. After Ward 2 Councillor Alisha Stubbs called a point of order, it was revealed that Scholten had once again amended his motion and wanted it to be read without the Pride and Progress banner mention. From there, Scholten brought up the possibility of deferring his motion but Stubbs, Ward 3 Councillor Shawn Gear, and Ward 4 Councillor Adrian Couwenberg stated that they wanted a decision made this evening.
Council then decided to look at amending the motion that was included in the agenda, to "exclude the wording Progress and Pride flags and banners and only to use the Canadian, Ontario and Norwich Township banners." The amendment was approved by Scholten, Couwenberg, and Mayor Palmer and denied by Stubbs and Gear.
Council then voted on the new amended motion, which passed with a vote of 3-2. Scholten, Couwenberg and Mayor Palmer once again voted in favour of it, while Stubbs and Gear voted against it.
After the motion calling for a flag policy bylaw passed, Council looked over another notice of motion that was brought forward by Stubbs, also during the March 28th meeting. She called on the Township to declare June as Pride Month and take steps to encourage and promote inclusivity. You can read her full motion below:
"WHEREAS the Municipality of the Township of Norwich supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination, and
WHEREAS all people regardless of age, gender identity, race, colour, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or disability, have the right to be treated equally as human beings, and
WHEREAS the Municipality of the Township of Norwich accepts and embraces diversity in its population as a means to grow the social fabric of the community, and
WHEREAS the Two-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (2SLGBTQ) communities contribute to the successes and vibrancy of the Municipality of the Township of Norwich, and
WHEREAS while progress has been made, further recognition, awareness and education related to the 2SLGBTQ+ community is needed to prevent discrimination and promote inclusivity.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor and Council of the Township of Norwich proclaim each June as Pride Month in Norwich Township, beginning June 2023, and encourage and promote equality for the 2SLGBTQ+ community throughout the municipality."
Stubbs shared a presentation on the matter which you can find online here.
Her motion was seconded by Councillor Gear, but he stated that we need the proper support and fundamentals in place before we start moving forward with the proclamation of months.
"I want to be certain that there are safety measures in place. That we are able to support and be able to provide those proper outcomes as they are done in numerous other municipalities."
He stated that he seconded the motion so Council could discuss the matter and he would like Council to handle this as a stepping-stone procedure.
After Gear said his piece, Stubbs thanked Gear for seconding her notice of motion so it could be discussed. She also said that the problem is "we're not moving forward" and noted the flag policy motion that was passed beforehand. She then stated that she was not open to any amendments to her motion. It was defeated when the recorded vote took place, with Stubbs voting in favour and Gear, Scholten, Couwenberg, and Mayor Palmer voting against it.
A video of the meeting will be posted on the Township's website, which you will be able to find online here.
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