Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy has issued the following statement on the “1 Million March 4 Children” taking place on Sept. 20:

"With respect to the ‘1 Million March 4 Children’ events taking place across Canada today -- including protests in Whitby -- I want to make it clear that the Town of Whitby is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion for all residents.

This includes supporting our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and addressing the unique challenges they face.

I commend the Durham District School Board and all school boards in Ontario that are working to ensure safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and staff.

Today’s protests claim to support the rights of children – but in fact, they do the opposite.

Campaigns like this one attack inclusive education that benefits all students, and foster environments where 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth are more likely to be bullied or marginalized.

I am alarmed by the increasingly harmful anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rhetoric that is being directed towards our schools.

We know that rates of suicide and self-harm are higher for students in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and in some cases, school is the only safe place for them.

I respect the right to peaceful protest, however, events that specifically target the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have no place in our town.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jillian Follert
Public Affairs Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 289.314.9101
Email: follertj@whitby.ca

Erin Mikaluk
Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913
Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca