Saint John will be getting its own rainbow crosswalk ahead of this summer’s Pride celebrations.
Mayor Don Darling made the request and council approved it at Monday night’s meeting.
“I’m a supporter of inclusiveness and diversity and a community where love is love,” Darling said after the meeting. “I’ve been a big supporter from day one.”
So proud of council. #loveislove https://t.co/y44XIE4Vbh
— Don Darling (@dondarlingSJ) June 4, 2018
We don’t know yet where the crosswalk will go — Darling says they’ll meet with community members to find the best uptown location.
There’s been some confusion as to whether municipalities are allowed to paint the colourful crosswalks.
The province asked them not to pending an ongoing study, but Darling says he believes it applies to provincial roads and not municipal streets.
Premier Brian Gallant later tweeted that municipalities can paint them, and even encouraged them to do so.
Municipalities are allowed to paint rainbow crosswalks – and they are encouraged to do so as an expression of pride and inclusiveness. https://t.co/0MiwEFtnUp pic.twitter.com/QDFHbWNhUI
— Brian Gallant (@BrianGallantNB) June 4, 2018
Rainbow crosswalks have stirred controversy in some communities, but Darling says he won’t tolerate abuse or ignorance “that sometimes rears its ugly head in subjects like this.”
“I can lead, I can make sure that I’m continuing to be supportive, I can paint a picture of the type of community that I want to have that I think we do have already and not let one person who might drive around with a sign behind his car ruin the day.”
