Sooke council took new steps towards the potential installation of a rainbow crosswalk at its Jan. 27 meeting as the topic was discussed at length.
A series of recommendations were made to the district council aimed at advancing inclusivity and fostering community well-being by enhancing representation for LGBTQ+ residents in Sooke. The recommendations came to the council in response to a presentation from community member and former councillor Ebony Logins, who called on the district to take a stand against hate and discrimination at a Dec. 9 council meeting.
While a motion directing the districtB次元官网网址檚 staff to continue discussions with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit staff on installing a rainbow crosswalk on Highway 14 passed unanimously, the motion to use up to $30,000 of district funds to install one on local roads proved more contentious.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a good use of those funds to put some public art, that could be controversial, but also will raise awareness,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Tony St-Pierre, speaking in support of the motion.
While no one spoke in open opposition to the project, and many expressed their support for other inclusivity projects, some presented concerns a crosswalk was not the most cost-effective way for the district to show support.
B次元官网网址淐rosswalks are for safety, IB次元官网网址檓 not sure if you would class this as a political statement or not, but I kind of like a crosswalk to be a crosswalk,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Al Beddows, who despite expressing his support for the sentiment of the project and other like projects questioned its necessity, given the crosswalk set to be installed on Highway 14.
B次元官网网址淚 just donB次元官网网址檛 believe in rainbow crosswalks, because a crosswalk should be a crosswalk. ItB次元官网网址檚 simple as that, so I canB次元官网网址檛 support the $30,000.B次元官网网址�
Coun. Jeff Bateman also expressed his concerns over the initial cost of the project and its maintenance. Bateman mentioned rainbow flags, benches and sidewalks as potentially more feasible and long-lasting symbols the district could install. Other councillors echoed cost concerns, especially amid fears the crosswalk may be vandalized and require frequent maintenance.
However, the motion was not without some encouragement, as Mayor Maja Tait voiced her desire to see the project through.
B次元官网网址淚 am in support of this, this is an item that the youth of Sooke have been asking for since I was elected in 2008,B次元官网网址� said Tait.
B次元官网网址淢any of them are wondering if we are ever going to get on with this, as are the generations that are coming all the time. I feel that itB次元官网网址檚 important to young people to demonstrate that we are hearing them.B次元官网网址�
The council ultimately voted to have a report completed further detailing the cost of the project and to suggest potential locations for it. This prompted St. Pierre to express some frustration at the continued slow process behind installing public art in Sooke.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 supporting the motion as it stands so we can move forward, but I so wish we could just move forward for once with an art installation without all this stuff,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淐rosswalks are for safety and this one serves double duty, itB次元官网网址檚 good.B次元官网网址�
Amid the decision to postpone a decision on the rainbow crosswalk, council passed a motion promising to extend its support to the Sooke branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, and the Sooke Harbourside Lions when they conduct Kindness Day, Pride or similar celebrations. They also directed staff to review a sign bylaw, which had previously allowed for some signs within the community to display messaging accused of being discriminatory.
