Ontario Town Seeks Legal Review Following $15,000 Penalty for Pride Month Celebration

December 20, 2024 TruthUSA

A community in Northwestern Ontario was fined $15,000 for not acknowledging Pride Month and is now seeking a judicial review of the penalty.

The Township of Emo is asking for a court review of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal’s decision on Nov. 20

decision

that required the town to pay $10,000 and Mayor Harold McQuaker to pay $5,000 to the LGBT advocacy group Borderland Pride, as stated in a Dec. 19 press release from the town.

“As the matter is proceeding to the Divisional Court, we will not be commenting further at this time,” the town said.

The controversy started four years ago when the town council voted 3-2 against declaring June 2020 as Pride Month and displaying an LGBT flag for a week as requested by Borderline Pride.

Borderland Pride

filed a complaint

and the tribunal ruled in favor of the LGBT group, stating that the mayor and the town’s actions were “discriminatory.” The tribunal deemed the failure to designate June 2020 as Pride Month a violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

McQuaker has refused to pay the fine, calling it “extortion.” He and the town’s CAO Crystal Gray were also ordered to undergo sensitivity training, a measure which McQuaker has rejected.

In response, Borderland Pride seized the mayor’s bank account, asserting their right to enforce payment through legal means.

“Sure, sex is great, but have you ever garnished your mayor’s bank account after he publicly refused to comply with a Tribunal’s order to pay damages?” a Dec. 6 Borderland Pride

post

on Facebook stated.

“That is how you enforce a court order for the payment of money,” the group added in a comment on the post. “The Tribunal’s judgment is not optional.”

McQuaker previously mentioned that the town would decide at its Dec. 17 council meeting whether to pay the $10,000 fine. The town’s press release does not provide details about the council’s discussion but only mentions the intention to contest the fine.

“The Township does wish to state that it made a Declaration of Equality in 2022, which remains in effect today,” the press release added.

The declaration acknowledges “the dignity and worth” of all individuals and groups, including members of the LGBT community within the town.

“The Township is committed to ensuring Emo remains a welcoming community and a fantastic place to live, free from discrimination, harassment, and hate—welcoming to all,” the declaration reads.

Emo is located 380 kilometers west of Thunder Bay near the Ontario-Minnesota border.

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