DonB次元官网网址檛 expect to see a Christmas tree outside City Hall next year.
The City of Victoria is considering scrapping Christmas decorations in favour of separating church and state.
In a motion put forward by Coun. Ben Isitt, city staff have been directed to look at making city winter decorations more culturally inclusive, which may include removing anything related to Christmas, such as Christmas trees and Santa Claus.
B次元官网网址淭ax dollars should not go to religious symbols,B次元官网网址� Isitt said. B次元官网网址淒ecorations costs should not be expended on any particular part of Christmas practice.B次元官网网址�
Isitt noted that keeping lights up is something everyone can enjoy and that generic symbols such as snowflakes and stars wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be a problem.
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Annually, the city spends $90,000 on seasonal decorations, which includes downtown decorations at Christmas and Chinese New Year, and banners installed in various neighbourhoods throughout the year.
Isitt said he didnB次元官网网址檛 have a problem with the Chinese New Year decorations because it relates to a B次元官网网址渃ultural group rather than a religious act.B次元官网网址�
He added he has no opposition to people displaying their own holiday decor, as long as the government isnB次元官网网址檛 involved in its purchase or promotion.
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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just safer for us to steer clear of religious symbols,B次元官网网址� Isitt said.
Downtown lights in the winter are a big incentive for holiday shoppers, the Downtown Victoria Business Association told Isitt, so Isitt argued that by not decorating Christmas trees the funding could also allow for more generic decorations throughout the city.
So far the idea has spurred a lot of pushback, including a petition called B次元官网网址淗ands Off Christmas!B次元官网网址� that as of Monday had garnered more than 260 signatures.
B次元官网网址淚f this council wants to kill Christmas then they will have to take away all that it comes with it B次元官网网址� including the consumer side of things,B次元官网网址� the petition reads. B次元官网网址淣o more gifts, Santa, turkey dinner, lights and most importantly they have to go to work on Christmas Day without double pay.B次元官网网址�
Annually, the city also spends more than $50,000 on Canada Day for police presence alone, and $200,000 for seasonal flower baskets.
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