The small town of Emo, Ontario, near the Minnesota border, has been fined $10,000 for declining to participate in Pride Month activities. The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario determined that Emo violated the Ontario Human Rights Code by not proclaiming June as Pride Month and by not displaying a Pride flag at the municipal building, even though the building lacks a flagpole. The town's mayor and chief administrative officer were also ordered to complete human rights training.
The issue stemmed from a 2020 request by Borderland Pride, a local group, which asked Emo to formally recognize Pride Month and display a Pride flag. The request included a draft proclamation emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and the contributions of the LGBTQ2 community. Emo's town council voted 3-2 against the request.
During the council meeting, Mayor Harold McQuaker questioned why there wasn't similar recognition for heterosexual individuals. The tribunal deemed this comment discriminatory and offensive. Borderland Pride initially sought higher fines for both the township and individual council members, but the tribunal settled on a $10,000 fine for Emo and $5,000 for McQuaker.
