November 27, 2023: Council Sets Municipal Plebiscite Date for Crosswalk and Flagpole Bylaw

News Release

For Immediate Release

Monday, November 27, 2023

Council Sets Municipal Plebiscite Date for Crosswalk and Flagpole Bylaw

Westlock, AB – On Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, Westlock Town Council set a date for a municipal plebiscite to decide how best to move forward with the proposed Crosswalk and Flagpole Bylaw, put before Council as a result of a petition.

The decision for a plebiscite follows the Oct. 30th verification of a petition submitted to the Town of Westlock, which calls for a bylaw that restricts the Town to flying flags representative of only the municipal, provincial, or federal governments. The same petition demands that crosswalks be painted only in a ‘traditional’ white laddered pattern.

Per the Municipal Government Act, Council was required to give first reading to the proposed Crosswalk and Flagpole Bylaw on Nov. 27th, before either voting in favour of second and third reading, or moving to a plebiscite.

“This is the next step in the process that we are legislated to follow,” said Acting Mayor Murtaza Jamaly. “At this point, we feel like our community needs to weigh in on the Crosswalk and Flagpole Bylaw at a plebiscite. On February 22, 2024, our community will need to make a hard choice. They will need to choose if removing our community’s rainbow crosswalk sends the right message about who we are.

“Removing this crosswalk would be a first in this province, and likely sends the message that we aren’t an inclusive community – something I know to be untrue. Our community is going to have an opportunity to look inward as this question is placed on the ballot, and I have full faith that our residents will choose kindness and inclusivity over the false premise of neutrality.”

The plebiscite has been scheduled for Thursday, February 22, 2024.

“We are following the legislation set out in the Municipal Government Act, holding the plebiscite within the required amount of time following the Nov. 27th meeting, while still allowing enough time for the Town to coordinate the vote and advertise the details to the community,” said CAO Simone Wiley.

Additional information on the plebiscite is available at www.westlock.ca, where further info will also be posted as the plebiscite approaches.

Media contact:
Simone Wiley, Chief Administrative Officer
780-350-2100

Murtaza Jamaly, Acting Mayor
780-716-6878