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:

1. Police-reported hate crimes against 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada rose by 64% in 2021 compared to 2020
2. 62% of 2SLGBTQ students feel unsafe at school, compared to 11% of cisgender, heterosexual students
3. 30% of 2SLGBTQ students have been victims of cyberbullying, compared to 8% of cisgender, heterosexual students
4. 25 to 40% of young people experiencing homelessness are 2SLGBTQ 
5. 40% of trans youth have attempted suicide, a rate 8x higher than for cisgender, heterosexual youth.

Working together, we can combat the societal pressures that put 2SLGBTQ people at risk, and create a community where everyone feels they belong.

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

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. I look forward to hearing from you!
 
Sincerely,
Jill Holroyd (she/her)
Chapter Lead
Pflag Renfrew County

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
 

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.  Yes.

2. I've not been aware of hate speech, and there will always be false information. To work and combat this dangerous trend, I would learn more about the community and how those affected feel I can be of assistance.
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3. Yes, but you will have also understand, that learning about your community will take time and there are many issues that I will have to follow up on.

I thank you for reaching out to the candidates and giving us something to think about. When one is not involved in certain sections of society, such as your community, or it could be the sporting community, or the historical community, etc., knowing about them will take time to learn.

Connie Tabbert 

An unequivocal yes to all three questions. And should I get elected I look forward to discussing these issues with you in person. Thanks for reaching out to me.  Joey