A staff report on a request to amend the City of Quinte West’s sign by-law is being forwarded to the city’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee for consideration.
The decision was made at a Quinte West City Council meeting on Wednesday.
The report outlines a letter from resident Georgina Duckles citing targeted protests of drag performances outside public schools and libraries.
In a report from City Clerk Josh Machesney and Director of Planning and Developlment Services Brian Jardine, it was recommended that the city does not move forward with enacting a by-law provision.
This is based on a provision already in the Criminal Code that addresses the promotion of hatred against members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and that the provision is already enforced by police.
It is recommended that if signs were found in public with hateful content that the city and/or the public contact police to determine whether they violate the Criminal Code rather than having the city enforce its own provision and potentially expose itself to costly legal challenges.
A link to the full report can be found here.
No date was given on when the report will appear before the committee. The next Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2023.
