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
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.