Woolwich, Ont. council indecisive about actions to promote diversity and inclusion

Woolwich Township council were in disagreement Monday about the actions to take in order to promote diversity and inclusion in the township, following comments made by a councillor last month about a rainbow crosswalk.

Coun. Murray Martin had objected to the idea of a rainbow crosswalk being installed in Elmira, Ont., during a council meeting on Aug. 22. He claimed the rainbow is being used to "promote a lifestyle" and that using the rainbow — which has religious significance for Martin — isn't "proper."

Coun. Patrick Merlihan brought forward a notice of motion Monday at a committee of the whole meeting that sought to make diversity, equity and inclusion training a must for its employees.

It would've also seen a diversity, equity and inclusion committee created by early next year, and guarantee one or more rainbow crosswalks — or something similar — in the township by Pride 2023.

His motion garnered no support as is. 

Motion should be directed to staff

"I support a lot of the spirit of what's in this," Coun. Scott McMillan said, but added that he wants the motion to go to staff, feeling that it's a "safer process."

He also wanted input from the communities involved.

"We haven't done the work to connect with impacted communities to allow them to guide this process," said McMillan. 

"I think this should go through the regular notice of motion process rather than being tabled tonight," he added. "So, I'm not going to table the motion tonight. I'm not going to move it, not because I disagree with the spirit of it, but for those reasons I mentioned." 

Councillors Larry Shantz and Fred Redekop were in line with McMillan, believing the motion should be directed to staff, too. 

"If staff comes back with a report on this, then it allows delegates to sign in. And maybe speak to it and speak in front of council so that we can hear their side as well rather than making a decision for them," said Coun. Shantz, believing it would encourage community participation.

Woolwich Township Mayor Sandy Shantz said that she "[agrees] with the intent of the motion," but had "concerns about some of the wording."

She read out the revisions she wanted to see in the motion, but her suggestions weren't discussed in the meeting beyond that. 

Martin had apologized for the comments he made last month. During the meeting, he remained silent for the duration of the discussions surrounding the notice of motion. 

"If there is no motion. Nobody is ready to move the motion, then there isn't anything to talk about at this point," Merlihan said.

He said that they would continue discussions around the issue in the next council meeting.