Date:         Mon, 13 Mar 1995 11:23:04 -0500
Reply-To: krawczb@GOVONCA2.GOV.ON.CA

[ Send all responses to krawczb@GOVONCA2.GOV.ON.CA only. Any responses to
the list or list-owners will be returned to you. ]

The Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario, Bob Morrow, was fined $5000 by the Ontario
Human Rights Commission for refusing to proclaim Gay Pride Day in the city in
1991. The decision of the OHRC noted that Mr. Morrow's reason for refusing to
make the declaration was that he feared it would lead to a backlash against
the gay and lesbian community. Now, however, he is quoted in the Globe and
Mail as saying that "I think there was not a consensus in the community in
favour of it [Gay Pride Week]".

The payment is to be made to Joe Oliver, a gay man who complained to the OHRC
when the proclamation was refused. An interesting side note is that Mr.
Morrow is liable for payment of the fine rather than the City of Hamilton,
since the declaration of special days is the prerogative of the Mayor and
does not reflect a council decision.

Bob Krawczyk