Group Behind Alberta Town Plebiscite Over Crosswalk, Flagpole Bylaw Seeking ‘Equality’

People walk on a rainbow crosswalk in Calgary on Aug. 18, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Dave Chidley)

The organizers of a petition that has led to a plebiscite in a small Alberta town over a bylaw that would prohibit social, political, and ideological symbols—such as pride rainbow colours on crosswalks and public flagpoles—are seeking “equality” for all residents.

Stephanie Bakker with the Westlock Neutrality Bylaw Petition group told The Epoch Times that members are not targeting anyone, but rather are looking for neutrality on divisive issues.

“We’re not against any group at all, but we just want the government not to regulate where they had no business regulating,” said Ms. Bakker, who hails from Westlock, a town of 4,800 north of Edmonton.

The petition called for a bylaw to be created that would see crosswalks painted only in the standard white striped pattern, and allow only the national flag of Canada, the provincial flag of Alberta, or the Town of Westlock flag to be raised on public properties and facilities. It would also prohibit decorations on town crosswalks or flags that support social, political, or religious movements, with no grandfathering of any existing crosswalks or flags that are in opposition of the bylaw.

The proposed bylaw, which would require the town to remove a rainbow crosswalk that was painted on June 12, was discussed at a Nov. 27 Westlock Town Council meeting after the petition was presented and verified.

“This is the next step in the process that we are legislated to follow,” acting Mayor Murtaza Jamaly said in a news release. “At this point, we feel like our community needs to weigh in on the Crosswalk and Flagpole Bylaw at a plebiscite.”

The plebiscite has been scheduled for Feb. 22, 2024.

Ms. Bakker said while the town believes in “equity,” the Westlock Neutrality group believes in “equality.”

“Equality means everyone is treated the same way,” she said. “Equity means those who are seen as disadvantaged are to be given special treatment. The trouble is, democracy is founded on the idea of equality.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the Town of Westlock but did not hear back by publication time.

‘Shaming Language’

According to the Westlock Neutrality Bylaw Petition website, the petition was started after the Westlock Town Council “dismissed citizens’ concerns and disregarded the Duty of State Neutrality Ruling by promoting a special interest group in a public place,” allowing a rainbow crosswalk to be painted on June 12.

Ms. Bakker said she made a presentation to the council about the rainbow crosswalk, and the response of the mayor and councillors surprised her.

“I thought that would be divisive, and neutrality is the best way to create harmony and the need for neutrality in public spaces, so I went to the meeting and I gave my speech,” she said.

“Every single one of our councillors and our mayor gave sanctimonious speeches … very sanctimonious and shaming language used towards anybody that disagreed with them. It wasn’t in any way professional. It wasn’t in any way what you want to hear from your elected representatives.”

She said some members of the group knocked on doors in the town to get signatures for the petition. Some of the people they met supported the idea, but were afraid to speak out.

“Each one of them are going to agree with the petition but were afraid to sign because they’ve been intimidated by what’s been going on in our country.”

The petition has more than 700 signatures, she said.

“All we’re asking for is a neutral public space where anybody can be different from everybody else,” she said. “You don’t have to agree. We can politely disagree and still say hello to each other in the grocery store.”