Former Norwich, Ont. councillor welcomed to Toronto Pride month event
A former Norwich, Ont. town councillor took centre stage at a Toronto Pride Month event.
Alisha Stubbs, who resigned last week over what she called “blatant discrimination”, attended the unveiling of a Progress Flag inside 51 Division headquarters of the Toronto Police.
Stubbs' decision came on the heels of a 3-2 vote to ban all non-governmental flags on Norwich Township property.
An earlier motion had specifically mentioned Pride and Progress flags
Among those who voted in favour of the motion was Norwich Mayor Jim Palmer.
CTV News attempted to reach Palmer Thursday with no success.
Back in Toronto, Stubbs expressed no regrets about her decision.
“I stand by the words that I said. We can use our positions of power to do good,” she said.
But in Norwich Thursday, some of her supporters said they are experiencing intimidation.
Jennifer Wild of Norwich Residents for Love and Acceptance is among them.
Jennifer Wild, seen on June 1, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
“We’ve felt a little unsafe in the town. We have not been quiet about our beliefs. We haven’t been quiet about why we are angry,” said Wild.
Wild, who wears a cross to express her faith in Christianity, cannot understand why some other followers in Norwich stand against Pride and Progress Flags.
One church offering its full support is Norwich United. It is hosting a Pride service this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Part of their preparations includes a Progress flag. It will soon be secured inside a large boulder at the front steps, so it can't be easily removed.
Over the past months, some Pride and Progress flags and symbols around town have been disappeared.
Pastor Janice Pow of Norwich United Church, as seen on June 1, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Inside the church, Pastor Janice Pow is mentally preparing to give a sermon about love on Sunday, “Jesus never talked about who not to love. Jesus never said ‘Don’t love that guy. Don’t love that person or woman’.”
While the sermon will be about love and peace, Pastor Pow has safety concerns.
She told CTV News she has been assured police will patrol the church area during the service.
She said it is all part of an effort to take a stand against intimidation.
Norwich United Church, as seen on June 1, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
“You can only remain quiet to keep the peace for so long. And then you have to speak up,” she said.
Which, in the minds of many, is exactly what Stubbs did.
While she’s out of office now, she contends her power to fight has only grown.
“With anything to do with safety and inclusion, the fight should never be over until all people feel safe,” said Stubbs.
— With files from CP24s Beatrice Vaisman
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.