Woolwich councillor apologizes for comments made about rainbow crosswalk
'I can clearly see that the statements I made were wrong and it was never my intention to cause harm'
Woolwich Coun. Murray Martin is apologizing for comments he made during a Monday night township council meeting.
Council was discussing a letter from the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington in support of a rainbow crosswalk in Elmira when Martin voiced his disapproval of the proposal.
Martin, who is seeking re-election, had said his primary concern was with using the rainbow itself, and cited a Biblical reference.
Martin then faced backlash from fellow colleagues and members of the community.
"I understand that the comments that I made at Council on Monday evening were not only harmful to members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community but to Woolwich Township residents as well. I can clearly see that the statements I made were wrong and it was never my intention to cause harm," he said in an email statement to CBC K-W.
"I can recognize that I need to take the time to educate and expand my knowledge of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I am truly sorry for my actions, and I deeply regret the harmful words I spoke," he added.
"I would like the community to know that that everyone is welcome and should feel safe and accepted in Woolwich Township."
On Tuesday evening, Mayor Sandy Shantz, who chaired the meeting and is also seeking re-election, issued a public apology, saying she regretted not stopping the comments from Martin.
"I have listened to the comments received from the community and I have taken time to speak and apologize to those who have been harmed by these comments," Shantz said in the emailed statement.
Again, I apologize and regret my actions from last night and want to reassure our community that we are a safe, diverse, inclusive, accepting and welcoming community."