MAYOR OF LONDON REFUSES TO BOW
TO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Mayor Diane Haskett of London, Ontario, refused to declare a Gay Pride Day in her city in 1995. A local homosexual association laid the usual complaint against her with the Ontario Human Rights Commission Tribunal, which found her, as usual, guilty of discrimination against homosexuals. It ordered the City of London to pay $10,000 plus interest (the maximum) to the local Homophile Association, as well as proclaim a Gay Pride Day if requested in future. The city was also ordered to issue a statement of recognition to the homosexual, lesbian and bisexual committees that they are an integral part of the city, and city officials were required to meet with the Homophile Association to promote good relations.

The City Council, led by the Deputy Mayor, Grant Hopcroft, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the Gay Pride Day, refused to allow an appeal of the case to the courts because the Council claimed that the homosexual association had been hurt and humiliated by Mrs. Haskett's actions. Ironically, the final day to appeal was on Monday, November 10th, the date of the municipal election in Ontario, in which Mrs. Haskett was seeking re-election as mayor.

However, in this case, something unusual occurred. Mayor Diane Haskett refused to bow to the Human Rights Tribunal decision. A devout Christian and a lawyer, Mrs. Haskett placed a paid ad in the London Free Press on October 22, 1997, in which she stated that she believed this Human Rights case was unfairly decided and wrong in fact and law. She stated the Commission's decision takes away fundamental freedoms that are meant to be protected by our constitution. She went on to assert her right as a Canadian to freedom of expression and she stated:

I will not bow down to the ruling of the Human Rights Commission and I am willing to bear any consequences of that. I will not offer any proclamations, either presently, or in the future. In fact, let me make it clear that I intend to cease from making any proclamations of any kind hereafter.

As to the fine that the Human Rights Commission has imposed of $10,000 against me and the City, I want to contribute my share. I am going to be commencing, immediately, a three-week unpaid leave of absence and ask that the monies saved by the City be designated for this purpose.

During this time, I will be withdrawing from public life and the Deputy Mayor will step in as Acting Mayor. The Deputy Mayor and the Council will be free to carry out their decision of last evening without it in any way compromising me. You will see me on election day and I will re-commence my duties the following morning, hopefully with a continued mandate.

Her decision to go on a leave of absence just before the election was quite a shock! Many columnists in the London Free Press attacked her for her failure to do her duty as Mayor. Other columnists such as Rory Leishman, however, did a splendid job of defending Ms. Haskett.

Haskett's resolve not to bend to the offensive ruling of the Human Rights Commission -- is there any other kind of ruling by such Commissions? -- appeared, however, to have the full approval of the voters. On election day, Mayor Haskett won a landslide victory over her opponent. This vote also indicated how little respect the voters had for the decision of the Human Rights Tribunal.

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