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Sent via email Oct. 7, 2022
Dear Candidates and Mayor D’Eon, Mayors, councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your position on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Brie Birdsell (she/her) Lead Organizer The Deep River Queer Connection Data sources: Statistics Canada, Egale Canada, Homeless Hub, Canadian Medical Association Journal Sent via email Oct. 6, 2022
Dear Candidates and Acclaimed Candidates, Mayors, councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Jamie Hawes (he/him) Lead Organizer Pembroke Pride Data sources: Statistics Canada, Egale Canada, Homeless Hub, Canadian Medical Association Journal Sent via email Oct. 11, 2022
Dear Candidates, Mayors, councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your position on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Sent from Renfrew Pride
Response requested by October 12 A beacon in the dark. It’s Renfrew Pride’s goal to create a safe space for everyone in our community to be their authentic selves and to live their life in the light. We are a volunteer-run organization, working to create a safe and inclusive community for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The reality is, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, non-binary and others on the LGBTQ rainbow often face bullying, rejection, violence and discrimination at school, at home, at work and in the community. Studies show that homophobia and transphobia lead to increased risk of self-harm, drug use and homelessness in the LGBTQ population. Supportive environments are essential for the mental and physical wellbeing of LGBTQ youth and adults. As a community we can take action. This year’s Pride events were a great example. Our town raised the rainbow flag and we welcomed more than 200 people to Low Square for a family friendly picnic, story time with a Drag Queen and fun games for the kids. Our Queer Pride Prom was the first of its kind in the Valley and attracted folks from across the county as well as Ottawa and we even had guests from as far as British Columbia. Interesting fact, the couple from BC was optimistic our Queer Pride Prom idea would make its way west. They said there was nothing like that in their area. As a candidate for Mayor or Town Councillor, please tell us how you will help create a safe and inclusive community for all. We respectfully ask that you answer the following questions and feel free to add your own comments. We’ll share your responses on our Renfrew Pride Facebook page and with PFLAG Renfrew County’s website and group. Please email your response to [email protected] by October 12. We recognize this is rather short notice and we appreciate your feedback. 1. Would you support a rainbow sidewalk in Renfrew, the first of its kind in Canada? 2. How can the Town of Renfrew work with us to promote and expand the annual Pride events to attract even more participants from Renfrew and across Renfrew County? 3. Do you have any other ideas or comments about how we can create a safe and inclusive community for LGBTQ youth and adults? Thank you for taking the time to read and reply. Sincerely, Chris Kyte (She/Her) [email protected] Sent via email Oct. 7, 2022
Dear Candidate, Mayors, municipal councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS 1. Initiatives such as Pride flag raisings, events and crosswalks are tangible ways to stand against anti-2SLGBTQ hate speech and demonstrate that this is a safe and welcoming community for all. If elected, will you support and participate in Pride-related initiatives? 2. There has been a marked increase in anti-2SLGBTQ hate speech and false information in Renfrew County that is making communities less safe for 2SLGBTQ youth and adults. If elected, how will you work to combat this dangerous trend? 3. Will you commit to learn about 2SLGBTQ issues from 2SLGBTQ people, participate in safe space training (Pflag offers this at no charge), and build relationships with your local Pflag and Pride groups? Thank you in advance for your reply. We look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Jody Sernoskie (she/her) Pflag Volunteer/Madawaska Valley Arnprior Pride Questions
1. Will you continue to support Arnprior Pride’s initiatives within the community (such as the rainbow crosswalk, Pride month, fundraisers, etc.) and the expansion of these initiatives? (I.e. the instalment of the Trans flag crosswalk that was originally proposed to council alongside the rainbow crosswalk?) 2. The outgoing council has shown some support for Pride initiatives in the past, albeit fairly passive. Our hope would be to develop a more active and transparent partnership with the incoming councillors to allow for growth of our organization and better collaboration with the town of Arnprior. How do you see yourself making this a reality, and what can you do specifically to strength your working relationship with the Pride community? 3. Do you have any other ideas or comments about how we can create a safe and inclusive community for LGBTQ youth and adults? 4. Any additional comments... Sent via email Oct. 6, 2022
Dear Candidate, Mayors, municipal councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County (Data sources: Statistics Canada, Egale Canada, Homeless Hub, Canadian Medical Association Journal) Sent via email Oct. 7, 2022
Dear Candidate, Mayors, municipal councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Jennifer Neville (she/her) Pflag Volunteer/Petawawa I grew up in Kitchener - Waterloo where our community was very multicultural, took a women's sociology course, worked at camps where people were safe to be themselves and traveled quite a lot. I don't think folks fully grasp how monstrous some individuals are to BIPOC or 2SLGBTQ+ physical and mental health. Typically you hear there is no problem in government with hate speech, racism etc. however, the person often presenting that idea are not part of the community. So, first step is there is a problem.
Second, connecting with the communities to see what they need and how we can help as a municipality. third and the most important part is council speaks with by-laws and policies. I have begun the search for what Ottawa and other areas do in terms of supporting these communities. Although many candidates will search themselves for the answers I prefer to look outside to see what other communities are doing to help support these incredible people. quickly read over these documents: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regional-government/resources/Multi-year-Diversity-Accessibility-and-Inclusion-Plan_FINALaccess.pdf https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/lgbtq_ss_en.pdf This document is for municipal leaders who want to create equity and inclusion https://www.cawi-ivtf.org/sites/default/files/publications/advancing-equity-inclusion-web_0.pdf fourth, be a leader in the community who not only promotes inclusion of all but calls people out for inappropriate behaviour. I wish I had more time to talk about this and would love to hear your feedback and thoughts on how I could help as well. Jim Butterworth 1. I am extremely supportive of all these initiatives and think we must look for other ways to demonstrate that anti-2SLGBTQ are not only discouraged but also not tolerated. I am a proud supporter of pride initiates and always do my part to provide safe and inclusive spaces for all members of this community. I will continue to do this regardless of the election outcome. I will continue to promote awareness, education and work towards Pembroke becoming an inclusive community.
2. I believe in accountability. We must start holding people responsible for their inappropriate and dangerous behaviours. A city council must protect all members of their community especially those most vulnerable. We have to take deliberate action to demonstrate that we do not tolerate this behaviour and city council must set the example for this. We also have to create more overtly safe spaces for the 2SLGBTQ community. More places like Studio Dreamshare, psychotherapist, healthcare providers that can hold space for the needs of this community. We have to train individuals to address the cultural needs of 2SLGBTQ individuals and that should start with the city. We also need a space to just listen to hear about the needs and the experiences of individuals before we can move anything forward. 3. This question nests into the response from the previous question. I absolutely will and am committed to all pride initiatives. I will continue to provide a healthcare setting that is safe and inclusive, I will continue to hold space to listen, I will continue to educate myself and participate in events and build relationships with the Pflag and Pride groups.
1. Yes I will support any form of education for the public in terms of events etc. I do not attend very many events due to the fact that my family life is very busy. I may attend if my schedule permits but will certainly support.
2. I think that changing the opinion of generations is one that takes more education. Stigma attached to how one identifies exists everywhere and with continuous education in a safe space for others who do not understand what each category of SELF means should continue. 3. I welcome those opportunities. Thank you. Patricia Lafreniere Hi there, I appreciate your questions and hope you find my responses helpful.
#1 Absolutely as long as respectfulness and tastefulness are at the fore front of these events and monuments. All should be included and recognized for who they are without increasing labeling and bigotry. #2 I feel media has a lot to blame for sensationalizing situations and people good and bad and is sadly out of my control. I do agree with the Canadian Constitution and the United Nations Charter of Rights as Zig stated but also as elected individuals we need to be open to conversations with all individuals gathering information from them as to what they deal with and educate the public factually. #3 I will commit to receiving information, joining learning sessions and plans to combat the stigmas and labels being created. I will get involved where possible and continue to educate people on how to be "good neighbors to all ". Thankyou for reaching out. Kelly Reinert Lavigne 1. I enjoy seeing these and other signs of inclusion throughout my community, and directly connect to question two.
2. By showing public displays of acceptance we discourage negativity around our community. 3. I love learning new skills, and will take any free training. Shawn Henry Running for Bonnechere Valley Councilor 1.
As the only openly 2SLGBTQ+ candidate in the Pembroke election, I will definitely continue to attend, support, and participate in Pride-related events and activities. In addition to my participation in these activities, I have also been involved in the planning of many of them, especially for youth. I had the privilege of being the program coordinator for the Rainbow Art Club program, which saw dozens of 2SLGBTQ+ youth access art lessons and mentoring from 2SLGBTQ+ adults. 2. This is personal to me, not only as a Queer person myself, but as a mentor to many local 2SLGBTQ+ youths. Anti-2SLGBTQ+ language happens often in the Valley – Just last week, I was in a restaurant in a nearby town and at the table next to me there were a couple of people complaining that Pembroke now raised the pride flag every June for pride month saying that they would hate to see that happen in their community. As City Councillor, I will ensure that all decisions I make include an equity lens. One key component of the Team Forward platform is to develop pathways for under-represented members of the community to access leadership positions within the City of Pembroke, including political roles and management. This includes committee positions - The diversity committee shouldn’t be the only diverse committee. In my opinion, more diverse leadership will lead to better decisions. 3. Absolutely. I have and will continue to attend these types of training. I believe that councillors should always be learning more, so we can make better decisions. I also hope to also bring that voice to the council table, to encourage other councillors to learn and attend Pride events. Thanks for reaching out with this information and questions. The statistics you provide below are shocking and elected leaders must work hard to ensure our communities are safe, inclusive and welcoming to everyone without exception. I applaud community organizations like PFlag Canada for their advocacy, peer support and resources they offer. If elected I will support and participate in Pride-related initiatives. Hate speech, misinformation and even false information is a threat for many within Renfrew County and something we all need to work hard to address. Our municipal leaders have to be committed to our Community Safety and Well-Being plans, plus working with inclusive committees, task forces, community groups and advocacy groups to increase awareness and understanding. I am committed to learning more about 2SLGBTQ issues, building relationships and training.
If there are any other questions please don't hesitate to reach out. Neil Nicholson 1.
Symbols of a welcoming and safe community are essential to moving Pembroke forward. I actively support the creation and display of these symbols in my daily life as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and supporter of diversity broadly. I have sponsored through my corporation a stripe on the sidewalk every year and I have added support both financially and in my time and effort to Pride activities. I also ensure my space at the firm’s HQ downtown is inclusive and welcoming to all. We display the pride signage year-round and we have invested in developing our space with key moments of inclusion - gender neutral washrooms and inclusion training for all of our staff, as examples. As a councillor, my values and commitment to this will not change. In fact, I will be able to contribute to helping advance the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan that will be prepared in time for this upcoming term. Our firm, With Chela Inc., has the great honour of building this plan working with community and we must take action on its recommendations. 2. Firstly, I’d like to say that the way you’ve worded this question is exactly how I feel about this issue. Dangerous. We cannot allow our position of public office to be the place to spread misinformation and harmful remarks about a community we do not identify with, have not been educated in, or have not taken the time to speak with. I will take a firm stance at the Council table to call anyone to account on their hurtful remarks should this occur. We need to stand up and be OK with having difficult conversations with our colleagues and calling them to account. We can no longer accept Council members showing up to meetings with no education on the issues nor sense of lived experiences and use that platform to ask the questions they should have asked of themselves prior to coming to the meeting. It is no longer acceptable in any position of leadership to be ignorant to this. It’s harmful and our people deserve better. We have to put it all on the line for folks who feel unsafe. It’s just common sense - we’d do this exact thing to protect our children and people in any other issue of physical safety. Why is this one, which compromises physical, psychological, and emotional safety, being allowed to continue? Not OK. I am also committed to spreading this culture of accountability in the community and the media. Our local media is actively contributing to this problem and is not even balancing the conversation or commentary, let alone standing firmly to reject stories that cause harm. We can also do better on social media to protect our platforms from being a source of misinformation and hatred. I am of a passionate heart and firm mind on this issue overall. This narrative HAS to change. I am deeply committed and know how we can. It means listening. Learning. Taking stories of harm and oppression at face value that we cannot live. And we need to put a plug in anything that challenges the truth of what people are actually experiencing here. 3. My commitment to this has been in place for much longer than this campaign. And I am not interested in backing off, rather ramping up. I will commit to developing trusting relationships with my community and build an understanding, as far as my human limitations can, to the issues of importance and why. I will always take a seat of learning and listening to such key human realities. I will also commit to being a formidable advocate for these issues and help to advance equity and belonging through all of my leadership and community roles - and living my identity. 1. Yes, I would support a tangible way to support and recognize the 2SLGBTQ community. If the community feels a crosswalk is a suitable and appropriate approach, then I would support that on the basis that it can be done within any laws that govern formal roadway crosswalks. I would be open to and support other ideas raised by the 2SLGBTQ community as well.
2. I would support new/enhanced methods of communicating accurate, relevant, and timely information. I would support exploring new/enhanced services that could bring safety and security to members of the 2SLGBTQ community. 3. My personal knowledge and understanding of the 2SLGBTQ community and the issues they face is admittedly limited, so I would be interested in learning more about these issues from the community. Thanks Tom Vaughan 1.
Absolutely! The discussions have already begun but I feel the need to take it deeper. A Crosswalk is just a symbol, I want to help create a more inclusive and safe space for our students, young people and adults alike. 2. Working with Jill, we were able to pass the by-law to have the Pride Flag raised for the first time in 2019. Raising it with Jill and my then 6yr old daughter Lennan was my proudest moment as a Deep River Councillor. In 2022 we were able to have our first ever Pride Walk in Deep River and had an amazing turnout. I am known in my community as a strong Ally to the 2SLGBTQ community and have been involved in the planning and promotion of anything rainbow. We all worked hard to pull off the walk this year and I plan to always be a voice and Ally. I reach out to have student volunteers from our local high-school who are part of the community to help with events and I always make sure they feel safe and included. Being re-elected as a Councillor allows me a voice at the table where policy is made. I have been and will always be known as a strong Ally to the 2SLGBTQ community. 3. I feel as though I already have a strong relationship with Jill and PFLAG as we have worked together for years now and while my relationship with Brie and the Queer Connection is new-ish, we pulled off one heck of a Pride walk this year and I look forward to seeing all the amazing events I can support for them. I have participated in safe space training in multiple places and have a visible rainbow in my office letting anyone and everyone know it's a safe place. I admit I still have a lot to learn and would be happy to facilitate any training or inclusivity event in Deep. Thank you to Jill and PFLAG and Brie with The Deep River Queer Connection for taking the time to reach out to us ♡ Love is Love 1.
If elected as Councilor in the Township of Bonnechere Valley, I would continue to advocate for marginalized communities, as I have done throughout my entire career. The meaning of the 2SLGBTQ acronym is complex to many people. Leveraging my background in Marketing and Communications, I would lend my expertise to break down the complexities of the definition to inform the community at large what 2SLGBTQ means, offer interactive dialogue via workshops, community programing, digital strategies, and promotion of pride-related activities. Regardless of sexual orientation, all people deserve thier rights and freedoms in a democratic society. Change takes time and in smaller communities where there is a smaller population, greater attention needs to be given to 2SLGBTQ as the level of service and mental health supports are not the same as large urban centres. In addition, as the Chair of the Bonnechere Valley Youth Action Committee, I would work with Pflag Renfrew County for 2SLGBTQ programming - whether it is counseling, creative arts, athletics or social events. 2. As a communications professional, I would call out the groups spreading hate speech with the goal to inform and educate. I would publicly address ‘hate speech and false information’ with the facts – to lead by example via advocacy, accountability and transparency. Address the issues and offer solutions, with the right partners by my side. Develop communication strategies to continually offer storytelling and raise awareness to dispel hate language in order to build an all inclusive community. 3. Yes, I am absolutely committed to being part of the solution for the 2SLGBTQ community. I have a big voice and advocacy is part of my DNA. I have three teen boys who keep me apprised of what is happening day to day with youth. They are confused by the issues and acronym, and if they are asking questions, then I as their mom and community leader need to find solutions to effectively communicate to all concerned citizens. I lived in the pride community in Toronto in my early 20’s; I witnessed many wrongs but was also part of a revolution that will continue for years to come and one I’m happy to be part of. |
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