Thunder Pride is one step closer to creating a rainbow and trans flag coloured crosswalk in the Bay and Algoma area. The money for the project is being included in the 2020 budget deliberations for council to make a final decision on at a later date. Council is willing to commit up to $28,000 towards the project. Thunder Pride and the City would be sharing the cost and updated financial numbers will be included in the 2020 budget.
Chair Jason Veltri notes they are working on a tight budget and foresees cost savings on the project since it isn’t a four-leg crosswalk that they are proposing. A second single-lane crosswalk is planned for Donald at May. Thunder Pride is paying for half of the project and notes they are already starting to fundraise.
Veltri notes when news of their intentions hit the internet many local residents made comments that were “disturbing”. The Thunder Pride Chair adds this project would help make Thunder Bay feel more welcoming and inclusive for all.
Councillor Kristen Oliver highlighted how many residents on social media felt they could volunteer to do the paint job and asked administration to reiterate why that isn’t possible. Administration told council their staff are trained to do the maintenance and upkeep on the special paint that is known to last five years as opposed to the standard white paint that lasts around one year.
In relation to the negative comments and backlash online to the project, Councillor Andrew Foulds said it is not acceptable in 2019 to make homophobic slurs and make fun of people. The Current River Councillor told his fellow members, “we are talking about human beings with feelings who love and contribute in our community and do not need to be made fun of and discriminated against. We should be moving forward on this and the sooner the better.” Councillor Cody Fraser also condemned online comments calling them “disgusting”.
