At a February 24 meeting, Whitby council discussed two motions focused on banning hate symbols on town property. Both motions were referred to town staff for further reports.
This follows a raft of recent hate-related incident at Whitby Public Library and a park (see below).
One of the council motions called on town staff to establish a policy framework that reinforces the provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario Human Rights Code. This framework would clearly state that all forms of hate propaganda—including symbols that promote or incite hatred or violence—are banned in town facilities and on town property.
Another motion directs the town’s Chief Administrative Officer to develop a by-law that would prohibit the display of Nazi symbols and iconography on all town property, including that owned by municipal agencies, boards, or commissions. The motion specifies an exemption for educational and research purposes and calls for the penalty for any violations to be set at the maximum permitted under provincial statute.
Council members noted that both measures are intended to ensure a safe and respectful environment in Whitby, and the motions have now been referred to staff for additional review and recommendations to be presented at a future meeting.
Hate incidents have been growing across several Durham municipalities since the start of the Middle East war, including a recent Islamaphobic attack at Ajax Public Library.
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