Woolwich councillors to receive mandatory inclusion, diversity training
Woolwich council passed a motion that will require all councillors to complete mandatory equity, diversity and inclusion training.
On Monday, council voted nearunanimously to approve the motion.
The motion put forward by Coun. Scott McMillan seeks to have “Woolwich council recognizes the need to reaffirm our commitment to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive township for all our residents.”
The motion adds: “Woolwich council recognizes the need to reject all discrimination and hate directed towards any person or group of people guaranteed protection under the Ontario Human Rights Code.”
Coun. Patrick Merlihan said he is happy to see council moving forward in this direction and was willing to support the motion.
Before the vote took place, he said the hope was for a unanimous vote in favour of passing the motion.
The motion was passed by a vote of 4-1 with Coun. Murray Martin the only person opposed to the motion.
In August, Coun. Murray faced criticism for comments he made during a council discussion on a proposed rainbow crosswalk in Elmira.
In remarksthat lasted over a minute, Coun. Martin spoke about his opposing beliefs on a rainbow being used as a crosswalk to show support for members of the LGBTQ2S+ community,
At the time he said he opposes a rainbow being used as a symbol in this regard as he believes the rainbow is a “gift to us from God.”
Following backlash from some community members, Woolwich Mayor Shantz’s office released a statement saying in part: “Upon reflection, I apologize and regret not stopping the comments from Coun. Martin pertaining to the rainbow crosswalk. Woolwich prides itself on being a forward-thinking inclusive township who invites and welcomes residents including those from the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'