MINTO – A group of residents in Minto are petitioning the town to create a bylaw to keep public spaces "neutral", while others feel the petition unfairly targets groups like the 2SLGBTQIA+ and would have the opposite effect on the community.
Delegates supported by others in the gallery at a Tuesday council meeting asked council for a bylaw saying flags, crosswalks, decorations and banners on public property have to be neutral.
A written petition with hundreds of signatures supporting the group's mission was presented alongside the delegations.
"I want to make it extremely clear this petition is not against a specific group (but) in full support of neutral zones in our community's public spaces," said Dan Sinclair.
One resident who spoke during the question portion of the meeting called the petition "a deceitful cover for hatred and discrimination" against the existence of Minto's 2SLGBTQIA+community.
Minto was the first town in Wellington County to get a rainbow crosswalk when one was installed in Harriston in July 2022.
According to the group, town crosswalks should only be painted to standard and the Canadian flag, Ontario provincial flag and the Town of Minto flag are the only flags that should be flown on public property or at public facilities.
The group also said decorations and banners on town crosswalks shouldn't support political, social, religious or commercial entities except for the Royal Canadian Legion banners which are "considered grandfathered in."
"We deserve equal rights. We deserve to be free and to feel safe. It is not the role of council to make decisions for our ratepayers on personal choice matters...we believe that maintaining political neutrality in public spaces is essential to fostering a respectful and inclusive community," said Jim Dopfer, during his delegation.
Sinclair and Dopfer said several people told them they wanted to sign the petition but were afraid they would be fired if their employers found out.
"(The petition shows) over 900 people do not feel included in your community and it's clear to see that your agenda of inclusivity is failing and rather creating a bigger divide within our community," said Sinclair.
But letters from two people who signed the petition said they were unaware of the petition's implications or intentions when they signed and asked for their signatures to be removed or disregarded.
"When (the petition) came to my house, we were out playing with my kids and an older lady came up and said we are petitioning for another crosswalk for kids in Harriston ... (someone) informed me after what it was actually for and I was so taken aback and embarrassed that I signed something like that," said one resident in her letter.
Speaking during the public question portion of the council meeting, Minto Pride co-founder Caitlin Hall said the group has also been approached by several people who said they signed the petition under false pretenses and continue to support 2SLGBTQIA+ symbolism in public spaces.
"I just question the ethics behind that petition and whether the number 903 (of signatures) is a valid number," said Hall.
In an emailed statement to EloraFergusToday, Minto Pride said they support the delegation's right to bring their concerns to council but disagree with the claim that a neutral space means the removal of Pride banners, flags and crosswalks and said it would send a "very negative message" of who is and isn't welcome in town.
Minto Pride also said no other local causes, organizations or groups have experienced the same level of vandalism and vitriol they have while trying to spread the word that Minto is an inclusive place that welcomes everyone.
"Neutrality is language that is often used as a weapon to support the status quo, to support the way things have been in the past. We do not believe Human Rights are a political stance. We believe they advance as we do," said Minto Pride in their statement. "We do not need to debate with people whether the 2SLGBTQIA+ community deserves equal rights. Celebrating and acknowledging Pride Month is not taking away from any other causes, organizations, or groups."
Mayor Dave Turton said the town would consider the petitioning group's concerns seriously.
Minto Pride said they support the town's decision to look into and report back on the concerns and said they "know they will thoughtfully respond thinking about what is best for this township."
Interim CAO Mark Potter said a policy discussing the use of banners downtown is coming to council at a future meeting.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
