Skip to Main content

14.69°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 23, 2024 6:30 PM - The Canadian Press

Alberta town bans Pride flags, rainbow crosswalks after plebiscite

Share On

alberta-town-bans-pride-flags-rainbow-crosswalks-after-plebiscite

Kramer says the town of 4,800 will continue to find ways to embrace marginalized groups, including those in the LGBTQ community.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

A town north of Edmonton has voted in favour of a bylaw that bans Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks on municipal property.

A slim majority of Westlock residents who took part in a plebiscite Thursday voted in favour of the town only flying government flags and painting crosswalks in a white striped pattern.

Those in favour won by 24 votes, as 49 per cent voted against the ban.

Westlock Mayor Jon Kramer says councillors didn't support the move, as they felt it was against their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Kramer says the town of 4,800 will continue to find ways to embrace marginalized groups, including those in the LGBTQ community.

Last year, a group brought a petition to council demanding neutrality in public spaces after a local gay-straight alliance painted the town's first Pride crosswalk.

Latest news

surrey-police-seek-public-help-to-locate-suspect-wanted-on-assault-charge

Surrey police seek public help to locate suspect wanted on assault charge

Surrey Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted in connection with an alleged assault earlier this month. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, frontline officers began investigating on April 3 at about 8:35 a.m. after a report that a man had allegedly assaulted a woman with a weapon in the 17600 block of 58A Avenue. Police said the victim sustained minor injuries. The release states that on April 4, the BC Prosecution Service approved a charge against the suspect. Jason Donald Whyte, 54, is now wanted on a province-wide warrant for one count

alberta-to-introduce-legislation-to-end-seasonal-time-changes-premier-says

AlbertaApr 20, 2026

Alberta to introduce legislation to end seasonal time changes, premier says

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province plans to eliminate twice-a-year clock changes and remain on daylight time year-round, according to comments she made to Postmedia. Smith said the change would mean Albertans would no longer set clocks forward in the spring or back in the fall, instead staying on the current time throughout the year. On a practical level, that would result in darker mornings during winter months but extended daylight in the evening. The premier indicated legislation to implement the change is expected to be introduced later this week. Details of how the transitio

immigration-department-implementing-fixes-after-audit-flags-critical-weaknesses-in-student-visa-oversight

CanadaApr 20, 2026

Immigration department implementing fixes after audit flags “critical weaknesses” in student visa oversight

Canada’s immigration department is implementing an action plan after a federal audit found significant gaps in how it monitored and investigated problematic international student visas. According to a report by Auditor General Karen Hogan published earlier this year, thousands of student visa files flagged as potentially non-compliant were not fully investigated. The report identified what it described as “critical weaknesses” in oversight within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Deputy Minister Ted Gallivan, who assumed the role last month, said the department is taking step

WorldApr 20, 2026

Eight children killed in Shreveport domestic shooting; suspect shot dead by police

Eight children between the ages of one and 14 were killed in a shooting described by police as a domestic disturbance in Shreveport early Sunday, according to local authorities. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said officers responded around 6 a.m. to reports of gunfire and found multiple victims across three locations connected to the incident. A total of 10 people were shot, Smith said, with the eight children confirmed dead. Police said the suspected shooter fled the scene in a vehicle and was later fatally shot by officers following a pursuit. Authorities have not released the suspect?

ottawa-approves-gradual-increase-in-direct-passenger-cargo-flights-with-china

CanadaApr 20, 2026

Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China

The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January. According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t

Related News

Alberta to introduce legislation to end seasonal time changes, premier says

Alberta to introduce legislation to end seasonal time changes, premier says

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province plans to eliminate twice-a-year clock changes and remain on daylight time year-round, according to comments she made to Postmedia. Smith said the change would mean Albertans would no longer set clocks forward in the spring or back in the fall, instead staying on the current time throughout the year. On a practical level, that would result in darker mornings during winter months but extended daylight in the evening. The premier indicated legislation to implement the change is expected to be introduced later this week. Details of how the transitio

Alberta government meets grocers on food prices as affordability concerns grow

Alberta government meets grocers on food prices as affordability concerns grow

The Alberta government says it is meeting with major grocery retailers as part of an effort to address rising food costs, according to a statement from Service Alberta. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said food prices have increased across Canada and globally, and the province is engaging with grocery operators to explore ways to reduce costs for Albertans. The statement did not outline specific measures under consideration or a timeline for potential changes. Premier Danielle Smith also addressed the issue during her provincewide radio show on Saturday, saying many residents are frustrate

Sexual assault charges against Edmonton-area spiritual leader, wife stayed by Crown

Sexual assault charges against Edmonton-area spiritual leader, wife stayed by Crown

Sexual assault charges against an Edmonton-area spiritual leader and his wife have been stayed, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Friday. Johannes “John” de Ruiter and Leigh Ann de Ruiter each faced six counts of sexual assault and were scheduled to stand trial in September. The charges, first laid in 2023, will not proceed after prosecutors determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction, according to a statement from the Crown. Police previously alleged that John de Ruiter, described as the leader of a group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy, also ca

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital