Mayor Kevin Ash and Ward 1 Councillor Lisa Robinson disagree on whether Black History Month should be celebrated during the month of February. This is in violation of a Supreme Court of Canada ruling, which states that the state must maintain a neutral public space that is free of discrimination, given that everyone is valued equally.
00:00:00.000Thank you. Hello, my name is Terry Recker. I am a provincial leader with or for Action for Canada, which is an organization committed to faith, family and freedom. You can find us at actionforcanada.com.
00:00:16.480I took an interest in Lisa Robinson when she first started running for public office a couple of years ago, and I loved her spirit. She tenaciously fights for what she believes is right, as do I. We both believe that every human life is infinitely precious, from conception to grave. We believe in true equality.
00:00:39.540Mayor Kevin Ash, councillors and spectators, I honour each of you, and I hope that even though we may disagree with each other, you will grant me and Councillor Lisa Robinson the same dignity and respect that true equality requires.
00:00:57.820The duty of state neutrality stipulates neutrality must be adhered to and upheld by elected officials, who must do so without favour and in respect of the law. Giving special rights to one group is divisive and unlawful.
00:01:15.880The Supreme Court of Canada addressed this issue in Sagnia, or sorry, in the Quebec, it was a Quebec ruling, Sagnia versus the, just, I can't see the actual name here, sorry.
00:01:31.580It was in 2015, in sections 73 and 74 of the decision, 73, when the state adheres to a belief, it is not merely expressing an opinion on the subject. It is creating a hierarchy of beliefs and casting doubt on the value of those it does not share.
00:01:52.620It is also ranking the individuals who hold such beliefs. By expressing no preference, the state ensures that it preserves a neutral public space that is free of discrimination and in which true freedom, to believe or not to believe, is enjoyed by everyone equally, given that everyone is valued equally.
00:02:14.940I was very disappointed to see how Councilor Robinson has been treated by you, her colleagues. Councilor Robinson has democratically, she was democratically elected for her position regarding equality and her common sense wisdom.
00:02:34.360Yes, this council, yes, this council publicly denigrated her when she questioned the need for Black History Month.
00:02:42.620This is in violation of the aforementioned Supreme Court ruling.
00:02:48.920This was invinced by Mayor Kevin Ash denouncing Councilor Robinson's legitimate position when he said,
00:02:57.260the sentiments expressed by Robinson run counter to the values we at Council have collectively championed.
00:03:05.640It is disheartening to witness such displays of instant insensitivity towards Black History Month.
00:03:14.240I ask you, what is so wrong with Lisa's thesis that states we can't ever be equal as long as we allow colour to divide us?
00:03:26.100Is she not well within her rights to question Black History Month, especially since her intent is not to denigrate one people group,
00:03:35.900but rather to raise all people in a position of equality, strength and honour?
00:03:41.460As Morgan Freeman stated, how are we going to get rid of racism?