The Town of Saugeen Shores is showing its Pride by making an important public gesture towards the LGBTQ2+ community. The Town launched Pride Month, which officially begins June 1st, by raising an updated Rainbow Flag outside the Municipal Office on May 31st (2023).
As Pride Month approaches, Saugeen Shores is recognizing businesses that contribute to a community where all customers can feel safe, respected, and comfortable. The Town is providing “Saugeen Shores Supports” window decals to local establishments who agree to uphold the values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The Town has 100 window decals available for distribution, created in partnership with the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, and the Southampton and Port Elgin Business Improvement Areas. Business owners can request a decal at https://www.saugeenshores.ca/pridedecals/ on a first-come, first-serve basis (unfortunately they are not available for private citizens).
“As our population grows in size and diversity, initiatives like this will help us become more open and more inclusive,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “We need all of our residents to feel at home, and we need visitors to know they are welcome.”
The initiative is part of a Welcoming Communities Action Plan presented to Council members on Monday night and that plan has three main goals:
- To establish central locations where newcomers can find relevant and valuable information,
- To create awareness that there is strength in diversity, and
- To continue fostering relationships with underrepresented groups to better understand their needs.
Many items in the Action Plan come directly from conversations with local stakeholders at the 2022 Economic Development Forum. The Welcoming Communities Action Plan is listed in the Town’s 2023 Business Plan as a Major Initiative for the Office of the CAO.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau joined Saugeen Shores Police Chief Kevin Zettel, Fire Chief Ed Melanson and Deputy Fire Chief Rob Atkinson, along with Town staff and business leaders, to hoist the Rainbow Flag today and recognize June as Pride Month.
