REGINA – With the pull of a rope by a city commissionaire this afternoon, the City of Regina has now joined a growing number of Canadian cities and provinces that have raised the pride flag at city hall.
“I know that this is part of democracy and freedom that you don’t discriminate, and we very much stand against this,” said Mayor Michael Fougere. “This is a big issue, and we support that initiative absolutely.”
The flag, raised around 1 p.m. today near the sidewalk beside Victoria Avenue, is on loan by former Queen City Pride chair Jesse Ireland. The flag waves off the same gusts that blow the Canada and Saskatchewan counterparts on nearby polls.
Russia has come under increased scrutiny recently by human rights groups over homophobic violence in the country, along with a law banning “gay propaganda.”
Raising the flag during this year’s Winter Olympics is a way of sending a message to Canadian athletes.
“Even though they can’t necessarily fight against discrimination and for LGBTQ rights in Russia, they at least have a support system at home willing to do it for them,” said Ireland.
Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver have already raised the pride flag. Tonight, Saskatoon city council will discuss the possibility of raising the flag.
Saskatchewan raised the pride flag in front of the Legislative Building on the weekend, with Brad Wall tweeting out: “In Saskatchewan we protect human rights and stand against discrimination. We join other provinces in flying the Pride flag.”
Despite the new waving colours at city hall, Ireland, who said he submitted an official flag request online on Saturday, is feeling mixed emotions.
“I was saddened, shocked, very disappointed that citizens have to request the city to show their support of human rights,” he said.
Fougere said the issue was brought up late in the workday last Friday, and the city worked on it after getting requests on Twitter.
“When we came in I talked to my council colleagues. I talked to some officials over the weekend. We have to make sure we move right away on this. All of council supports this. I support this,” said Fougere.
Regardless of requests, Fougere said city protocol doesn’t allow flags to be raised on the weekends.
While Regina lagged behind other cities, Ireland is happy the flag is up.
“Right now, we’re in a time where certain times that rainbow flag really needs to be a forefront and a focus to show that there are still these issues,” he said.
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