B.C. community asked for “neutrality“ on civic decor

In February 2024, Westlock, Alberta, adopted a “Neutral Space Bylaw“ that prohibits public spaces from bearing any decor representative of social, religious or political movements, or promoting commercial entities. When the proposition was first brought forward through a petition to council, it was proposed that the rainbow crosswalk be replaced with two parallel white lines.

Westlock’s council passed the motion to adopt the bylaw, which was replicated in Barrhead, Alberta, a few months later. After a similar petition was brought forward, the Town of Barrhead agreed to remove its rainbow crosswalk, as well as a disability advocacy crosswalk.

About a year after Westlock adopted the bylaw, an alt-right group in B.C. tried to implement a similar bylaw in our neighbouring province. On Feb. 11, 2025, the alt-right group appeared at a District of 100 Mile House Committee of the Whole to propose the district adopt the “Neutral Space Bylaw.“ The Canadian Anti-Hate Network considers the group to be a hate group.

In the proposal, 100 Mile House citizens Coleen Welton and Marty Blazina said that banning pride paraphernalia would “protect the mayor and council from unwanted conflict by making governing decisions easier to implement, allowing our elected officials to remain neutral and avoid division in our community.“

Maureen Pickney, mayor of 100 Mile House, told Angles that adopting a Neutral Space Bylaw was not something council had ever previously discussed.

“We have, every year, allowed the Pride society to have a parade and it’s very highly participated in.“

She explained this proposal was initially brought to her attention during open office hours that she hosts for citizens of 100 Mile House. As mayor, it was at Pickney’s discretion how to address the proposal.

“We sit around council to support everyone in our community,“ explained Pickney. “We look at … how can we support our community and all of its members.“

Art by Jodi Dueck

It’s different from the process in the Alberta towns, which are is governed by the Municipal Government Act. In Westlock and Barrhead, these issues were brought forward to council through a “valid petition“ that had at least 10 per cent of the community’s support, obligating council to address the proposal as if it were causing a decent percentage of the community serious affliction.

Pickney said the discourse around the proposal “exploded,“ so she decided to bring the proposal to a Committee of the Whole meeting. A Committee of the Whole meeting does not decide issues, but rather consists of a discussion, possibly about potential proposals.

Word spreads fast in a small town — misinformation in the community worried 2SLGBTQIA+ residents that a formal decision had already been made, or that council had proposed the bylaw themselves.

The District of 100 Mile House’s council immediately shot down the idea of even considering adopting the bylaw.

“When it actually came before council in the meeting, nobody had the appetite to even discuss this as an option,“ said Pickney.

Councillors brought up arguments such as infringements on freedom of speech and the lack of beautification having the potential to cause a dulling effect. A similar discourse has stirred Alberta ever since the bylaws were adopted; a veteran named Ed Mortimer wrote to the editor of the Barrhead Leader as the town now forbids flying the Legion flag or the United Nations flag, as the bylaw only allows flying the national, provincial or municipal flag. Angles invited the alt-right group to comment, but they did not reply.

“Funny enough,“ Pickney said, “the same day of that meeting, the banners arrived in our office to go up on our signposts for the Pride group.“

The alt-right group has been active in the community since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s very challenging for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to be under these types of attacks,“ explained the 100 Mile House Pride Society. In an email to Angles, they said that the community discourse from the Committee of the Whole meeting has escalated hate online.

“It’s normal for things like this to cause emotional exhaustion and burnout, and it’s especially heartbreaking to see how it affects the youth.“

The 100 Mile House Pride Society will continue to have their annual Pride festival this year, with the safety of protecting 2SLGBTQIA+ folks always being a top priority. The society encourages people to help by speaking to the media, reaching out to political representatives, checking in on your queer friends, and purchasing a membership with the Society.

“We also feel our fire burn stronger. We are driven to advocate for human rights and this is a sign that our work is far from over,“ said the 100 Mile House Pride Society.

Morgan Powell is a queer media artist living in Wet’suwet’en territory.