Canadian Town Fined And Mayor Sent For Compulsory Education After Failing To Hoist Pride Flag

The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has ordered the town of Emo to pay damages for failing to hoist an LGBTQ2 rainbow flag in celebration of Pride Month. The town, with fewer than 2000 inhabitants, does not have a flagpole, but the tribunal found that Emo, its mayor, and two councilors violated the Ontario Human Rights Code. The tribunal's decision was made despite the town receiving only four requests for declarations or proclamations in a 12-month period, two of which were from Borderland Pride. During a debate over the flag proposal, Mayor Harold McQuaker stated that there were no flags being flown for straight people, which factored greatly in the tribunal hearings. The tribunal ruled that Borderland Pride will be awarded $15,000, with $10,000 coming from the township and $5,000 from Mayor McQuaker. In addition to the fine, McQuaker and Emo's chief administrative officer were ordered to complete an online course called "Human Rights 101" and provide proof of completion to Borderland Pride within 30 days. The course is offered by the Ontario Human Rights Commission and begins with a statement that the Human Rights Code "is not meant to punish." The decision has been criticized as an example of the anti-free speech movement in Canada. The case has sparked controversy, with some arguing that the tribunal's decision is an overreach of its authority. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal's decision has been reported by CBC News and the National Post.