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CONTEMPORARY CROSSWALKS SUGESTED – The Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Colour flag would be one of the flags painted at Main and Front streets if city council agrees to a community request. Photo courtesy CITY OF WHITEHORSE

Painted crosswalks idea draws heavy support

City council is being asked to paint the crosswalks on Front Street and Main Street with the flags of Black Indigenous and People of Colour and Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Colour.

By Chuck Tobin on August 5, 2020

City council is being asked to paint the crosswalks on Front Street and Main Street with the flags of Black Indigenous and People of Colour and Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Colour.

The request was made in a letter presented to council at its meeting Monday from Whitehorse resident Mellisa Murray.

The proposal is supported by several businesses in the area as well as a petition signed by about 500 people, Murray notes in her letter.

The supporting letters from businesses and the petition were also presented to council.

“People around the world, including in our city, have taken to the streets in peaceful protests against the criminal justice system, police brutality, and systemic racism,” writes Murray.

“I, along with hundreds of supporters from multiracial and intergenerational backgrounds, have come together to stand up to this inequality. But change in our community requires awareness, education, and visibility.”

Murray notes the city has already recognized the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community with the rainbow and transgender flags painted on the crosswalks at Third Avenue and Main Street.

“The urgency of this project is crucial; systemic racism is not something that only exists outside the bubble of our city, but rather something present within our community,” Murray writes.

“This has been clearly demonstrated by recent vandalism to two ‘Black Lives Matter’ signs around the city. The Crosswalk Project would be a daily visual reminder that we are all fighting for equality and justice.”

City manager Linda Rapp told council they estimate painting the crosswalks would cost about $7,000, plus the cost of ongoing maintenance.

Maintaining the painted crosswalks at Third and Main has not been onerous, she said.

There seemed to be general acceptance of Murray’s request by members of council.

Mayor Dan Curtis called it a great idea.

Whitehorse was the first community in Canada to paint the queer and trans flags on the crosswalks, he pointed out.

He said the city did not do it to be the first, it did it because it was important, a sign of acceptance.

“I think this is a fantastic idea,” the mayor said. “I don’t think it will be costly.

“I am dedicated to see a change of attitude in the city,” Curtis said.

“On behalf of the Edgewater Hotel, please accept this letter of support to Mellisa Murray and their application to paint the crosswalks at the intersection of Main and Front Street to bring awareness to racial injustice and systemic racism to our community,” says the letter penned by Wray Morrel, a manager for the Edgewater.

Similar letters were sent by a handful of businesses.

Architect Jack Kobayashi wrote: “On behalf of Kobayashi & Zedda Architects, Baked Cafe and Bakery and 360 Design/Build, we fully support this gesture and we look forward to seeing the finished artwork adorning the streets of our city in the near future.”

CEO Casey Prescott of the Yukon Arts Centre wrote the Yukon community has responded strongly to the global Black Lives Matter movement to promote and sustain equality among all peoples.

“The opportunity is clear for the City of Whitehorse to demonstrate a strong civic statement by supporting the inclusion of these flags in the downtown core,” Prescott writes.

“The act would give clear momentum and maintain visibility of these issues to our community as it navigates ending these systemic oppressions.”

Council did not provide any specific direction to administration regarding Murray’s request. Administration will be following up with Murray this week.

If council decides to undertake the project, it will have to work its way through the city budget process, administration has indicated.

Comments (55)

Up 1 Down 2

Wilf Carter on Aug 11, 2020 at 8:52 pm

Any person that has studied municipal services, engineering will know that any color on pavement other then directional signs is dangerous and has proven to cause accidents which is not needed.

Up 11 Down 11

Nathan Living on Aug 11, 2020 at 3:58 am

I know it may be expensive but let's paint the street like this from Duffys to the corner where the Centre of Hope is.
This would send a nice message and beautify the area and perhaps have a calming effect as well.

If I get support here I will setup a Survey Monkey and call Dan to see if council can embrace this good will.
Maybe a Gofundme campaign can pay for the many coloured paint.

Up 7 Down 0

Groucho d'North on Aug 10, 2020 at 4:12 pm

@Millennial Beef
I think the mandatory tattoo idea got permanently sidelined by the same guy who singlehandedly killed a moustache style for all time.

Up 20 Down 3

Anie on Aug 10, 2020 at 4:04 pm

Nicky, yours is the best suggestion yet. I wish we could find a way to get mayor and council to read it.

And is anyone else offended by Mayor Curtis saying “I am dedicated to see a change of attitude in the city,” Who the heck does he think he is? He works FOR the residents, he does not get to stand in judgement. Self righteous pious virtue signalling who hasn't a clue what he is talking about just insulted the entire city.

Up 57 Down 5

Oya on Aug 10, 2020 at 9:54 am

I do NOT support my tax dollars being spent in this way that does absolutely nothing for Whitehorse residents other than raise awareness of the "issue". If you want to raise awareness, do it on your own dime. Print posters, put them up everywhere, distribute rainbow flags that people/businesses can put up if they want with their own labour on their own dime, get a Facebook page. The Mayor says it wouldn't cost a lot of money. Then make them pay for it exclusively or give them the money out of your own personal pocket. Do not use my Whitehorse hefty tax dollars in this way!

Up 40 Down 2

Dollars hard at work on Aug 10, 2020 at 8:10 am

Anie - are you kidding ? This petty , ‘bottom of the list’ agenda item is what DRIVES council meetings . It gives the councillors an inflated sense of self-justification for those silly , inflated ‘earnings’ .

Up 44 Down 5

Nicky on Aug 9, 2020 at 6:51 pm

These special interest groups' painted crosswalks are divisive. Most people used to be tolerant of others and just ignored those who believed differently. All it's accomplished is making people polarized and angry. This patronizing, in-your-face virtue signaling has only made the situation much worse.

Every special interest group should be allowed one crosswalk for their approved color design. The crosswalk locations where the groups can paint their logo should be auctioned off with the funds going to the Food Bank. They must supply the paint and labor under direct CoW supervision.

Most of us object to one or two special interest groups singled out for taxpayer funded support. Treat all special interest groups equally and fairly, not with paternalistic virtue signaling like now.

Up 11 Down 4

Millennial Beef on Aug 9, 2020 at 4:11 pm

Dear Groucho - We were thinking more along the lines of a tattoo. All citizens of the body politic will be tatted - On the back of each citizen’s hand will be an inclusivity stamp. Failure to do so will see your citizenship revoked and you will be relegated to the status of untouchable.

Be well Groucho d’North... Are you an effective team?

Up 19 Down 3

Josey Wales on Aug 9, 2020 at 1:29 pm

Thanks a freakin' lot Groucho....you just vaporized my sarcasm meter.
I might have to step away until a replacement arrives.
The unfortunate thing about today's time and zero nuance, sure helps knowing style. As font often but not always confuses those that lack nuance.

Seems easier to decipher a German Enigma machine than the alleged mind of a progressive.
I see the "greater than" > symbol in black, with red above all.
Is there irony in the surrender flag being white?

Geez...I think I am on to something.
Soon we will need a bigger tent, too many rings in this circus.
...and a circus indeed the philosophy of "Identity Politics" is.

Up 36 Down 4

Karl on Aug 9, 2020 at 12:33 pm

Headline should actually read "Painted crosswalks idea draws heavy criticism"

Up 33 Down 5

Groucho d'North on Aug 9, 2020 at 9:48 am

Why stop at crosswalks? Considering the audience for these multi-coloured messages is the entire community - why not paint publicly-owned buildings too? Perhaps also the runways at the airport so that arriving visitors will know where our hearts are and what we consider to be important.

Up 41 Down 2

because the previous crosswalks discriminated? on Aug 8, 2020 at 8:33 pm

Why are you changing something that does no harm in its current state? Your making people angry over something that isn't a problem.

Up 52 Down 2

Elmer Vasko on Aug 8, 2020 at 11:46 am

Next January when I slip, fall and break another bone on an unplowed downtown sidewalk I'll remember this waste of taxpayers money.

Up 20 Down 14

Wilf Carter on Aug 8, 2020 at 11:14 am

Trudeau and liberals are not showing any kind of leadership on race relations. By going to events does not help. We need to work together as one with one set of rules and laws for all.

Up 11 Down 1

vlad on Aug 8, 2020 at 8:52 am

@anie - Anie, stupid people do not recognize stupid things. Simple like that, I guess

Up 8 Down 33

Nathan Living on Aug 7, 2020 at 1:37 pm

Let's have a contest for the design.

Up 38 Down 20

Bob Folster on Aug 7, 2020 at 12:39 pm

Rick Karp and Colin Laforme if you're reading this - would one of you please run
again for Mayor in the next city election.

You're total votes easily beat Mayor McCheese's "winning" number

Up 7 Down 23

Darrell Drugstore's smartest neighbour on Aug 7, 2020 at 12:24 pm

Values on Aug 6, 2020 at 4:25 pm

HA HA HA - City Government is NOT Yukon Government !
Pasloski Party 2.0 ? NOPE !

Up 28 Down 16

Cool Guy on Aug 7, 2020 at 8:33 am

As much as I don't mind the idea of painted crosswalks that supports Indigenous People of Colour, I would actually prefer designed cross walks with drawings and arts that represent what the Yukon culture really is, being the largest city in northern Canada and with the least air pollution in the world.

Up 70 Down 9

jack on Aug 7, 2020 at 1:35 am

The mayor should grow a backbone....

Up 66 Down 5

Yukon Eddie on Aug 6, 2020 at 8:32 pm

So about 500 people want more gay exposure in Whitehorse. I did a quick count of those who aren't interested in spending any more money on this type of project, according to the comments and so far it comes to 874. So, Mayor Curtis and Councilors, I hope you are taking note. We don't want any more of this!

Up 29 Down 4

martin on Aug 6, 2020 at 8:08 pm

If anyone out there was hoping Mayor Dan would do the "right thing"; here is your proof. And K&Z?

Up 55 Down 13

Wilf Carter on Aug 6, 2020 at 6:22 pm

By doing this it is inciting racism of a systemic manner. People's sex life is private to each individual not one group of people who choose one type of sex life. 99.9% of Yukoners don't want this display of racism by our government which our mayor supports. What people's personal life is about is their business no one else's and certainly not the public.
Far as lives matter all lives matter. Anyone thinks differently has no respect for man kind at all and are causing more problems.
I lived in community with many different cultures and I had a black person who was a friend give blood to save my life from a car accident.
He was so funny he said you owe me some blood down the road.
Folks we are all human and that's it.

Up 60 Down 4

JohnW on Aug 6, 2020 at 6:04 pm

Is a petition signed by about 500 people "heavy support" because they're obese? 500 names on a petition is nothing significant.

Up 57 Down 17

Values on Aug 6, 2020 at 4:25 pm

If you are fed up with the Liberals pandering to every special interest group like BLM and the LGDBT2S56K+ Remember to vote Yukon Party next election. We need to kick these progressives to the curb and elect a good old fashioned Conservative Party!

Up 59 Down 3

Charlie's Aunt on Aug 6, 2020 at 4:13 pm

This idea is short sighted and dumber than dumb. Why on earth would COW consider spending $7,000 on this instead of spending to paint the neglected crosswalks all over town that need new paint? I guess ideological pretty is more important than safety. I am not homophobic & try to respect this group's lifestyle in same way as I do others, I don't care how you choose to live but don't shove it down my throat. Josey is right, let's spread the recognition by painting poppies to honor veterans. Ms Murray says "The urgency of this project is crucial". I think not.

Up 30 Down 5

Anie on Aug 6, 2020 at 3:51 pm

Woodcutter, what did someone do to you that made you so mean ? I'm sorry that you are so unhappy.

Up 50 Down 4

TMYK on Aug 6, 2020 at 3:09 pm

Interesting how she doesn't say how many of the almost 500 people who signed the online petition are actually from Whitehorse, much less the Yukon. They could be from anywhere in the world. This also wouldn't be a one time cost. Every year it would have to be re painted or the city would risk being called racists and bigots. All these little virtue signals add up and tax payers end up footing the bill.

Up 32 Down 2

Jayne W on Aug 6, 2020 at 2:18 pm

I am not commenting on if I like this idea or not.....But City of Whitehorse unfortunately cannot count the number of names on the petition as support. This is what groups have been told in the past when they are presenting, disagreeing, etc on issues. Last time a petition was used for a zoning issue it was not counted as the over 150 names but as 1 in favour/against.

Up 68 Down 5

justsayin' on Aug 6, 2020 at 1:32 pm

Umm, $7,000 dollars /2.30 per can of soup (good soup) = 3043.5 cans of soup. No liabilities in pedestrians getting hit.

Up 87 Down 5

Sally on Aug 6, 2020 at 12:30 pm

How about some lit/flashing crosswalks on Second Avenue so people stop getting hit and dying?

Up 78 Down 6

Rick Duff on Aug 6, 2020 at 12:23 pm

How many cans of soup would $7,000 buy for The Food Bank ?

Up 42 Down 30

At home in the Yukon on Aug 6, 2020 at 10:15 am

At least they included the first nations in the list of the oppressed. I am so sick of Canadians talking about black racism when Canada's primary racism problem is against the first nations. Universities in this country are making it easier for blacks to do med school, but I don't see an overabundance of first nations doctors. We need to recognize our own problems, rather than always trying to solve America's problems.

Up 91 Down 8

Dean LaRue on Aug 6, 2020 at 9:33 am

Many Yukoners are suffering financial and social problems caused by
the pandemic.
The traffic situation on Second and Fourth Avenues is still worthy of
a Road Warrior movie.

AND our city government is prioritizing the painting of yet another crosswalk ?

THE NEXT CITY ELECTION CAN NOT COME SOON ENOUGH !

Up 59 Down 13

Bingo on Aug 6, 2020 at 9:30 am

I do not like that flag at all....have a real good look, the blm is in the shape of an arrow that points to the rainbow signifying that blm is greater than the LGBTQ, this is discrimination...outrageous.

Up 66 Down 5

Gringo on Aug 6, 2020 at 9:26 am

This is a very shallow idea at best on the backs of the tax payer. Just because we have sidewalks massacred doesn’t mean anything at all really. It’s the person to person communication and respect that has any weight and that is not something that you can paint on a road or put on a billboard.

Up 20 Down 84

Woodcutter on Aug 6, 2020 at 9:02 am

Wahoo, another trigger for the homophobes. I can just see them now walking in Whitehorse, frowning, closing their eyes and twitching every time they see a rainbow. Trigger trigger trigger, release the phobes and give them a shot of progressive cross walk paint.

To the expat, I don't think we've missed you.

Up 63 Down 11

Josey Wales on Aug 6, 2020 at 8:53 am

if any more ADVOCACY crosswalks move "forward" there should be one full of poppies. A great reminder to all, why we live in these times where everyone that seems to have "perpetual grievances" can act out their cosplay fantasies, support Marxist groups, walk with a hammer and sickle flag spewing indoctrination messages the whole time, SSSSSHRiek at all they loathe and have complete disdain for....among many other "progressive crusades".

Until I see a poppy crosswalk, an update to ACTUAL traffic marking in THE F**KING LAW....consider OJW a formidable foe in your quest to burn it all down.

Up 83 Down 8

Anie on Aug 6, 2020 at 8:47 am

Doesn't anyone on council have the jam to say "ah c'mon this is just getting too stupid"?

Up 53 Down 8

Juniper Jackson on Aug 6, 2020 at 8:05 am

2020.. Its confirmed, the world has tested positive for "batshit" crazy.

EXPAT: I am happy for you that you like where you live. I have lived in the Territory for 60 years. This is my home. Yes. It's changed. Every place has. If the sidewalks are colored or not, really? I have bigger issues to worry about than this. Paint colored walks to set any one group aside and make them different? No.. Paint them because colors might show up better in the winter and be safer? Sure. It's not the paint..it's the reason. Personally? I think in the over all scheme of things, i do not care about this issue. Whitehorse is my home, I love my family and friends here. I will not leave. Agree with me or not..I will continue to be a "computer warrior". I will continue to write my letters, donate locally, help my neighbors, be kind to others, as they are kind to me. No matter what is hitting the press.. I love my community, my family, my home.. and it's all in the Yukon.

Up 71 Down 8

Inclusivity Gone Nuts on Aug 6, 2020 at 7:14 am

It’s all getting ridiculous now . How about a series of sponsored median lane dividers, individually marked for ‘straight white’ folks, or dual use lanes for those who ‘ go both ways ‘ ? How about a cross-dressing zebra sign ? Jees !

Up 58 Down 9

Salt on Aug 5, 2020 at 11:37 pm

Hear, hear! @expat
The town has been overrun with tax dollar parasites feeding on the money the feds steal from the productive people.

Up 19 Down 9

Groovin on Aug 5, 2020 at 9:45 pm

Ms. Murray wrote with a flurry all the thoughts that she must hurry... There is no time I cannot wait we must push back against all this hate... Do my virtues irritate? See my virtuosity the social currency it earns gives me my political viscosity ... To shine like a beacon my aural luminosity... My reputation precedes me with star like velocity... I will assail this societal atrocity with my fearsome monstrosity...

Here I be where I fail to see the absolute frickin irony... The colours of a rainbow only show when some white light action is given refraction... Wait a minute print a retraction... All the colours of the rainbow are another way of seeing whiteness and seeing whiteness is another way of seeing colour - We are all facets of the ‘one’.

Up 61 Down 8

Max Mack on Aug 5, 2020 at 9:21 pm

The story's title says "Painted crosswalks idea draws heavy support", but there was nothing more than a "a petition signed by about 500 people" and some scattered support by business owners.

That's journalism for 'ya.

Up 57 Down 7

Matthew on Aug 5, 2020 at 8:43 pm

Isn't there already a pride walkway? You know, the one where gallons of paint is used yearly just for all those toxic chemicals to wash away into the river? And wouldn't walking/driving over it be considered disrespectful anyways!? Oh the irony... LOL

Up 33 Down 9

Of note on Aug 5, 2020 at 8:08 pm

Bill is not good with bills. He seems to take real glee and joy in wasting tax payers money.
Some lady want to be Mayor? It's the right climate.

Up 64 Down 5

Henry Wensleydale on Aug 5, 2020 at 8:04 pm

YEESH - 481 actual signatures is hardly "heavy support"

Give the money to the Food Bank petition it would easily get 2,500

Up 50 Down 12

Peter on Aug 5, 2020 at 6:33 pm

Painting the cross walk a design and different color that is not meeting national standards will put pedestrians at risk. By changing the legal design and color you are making The City of Whitehorse open to legal liability if some one gets hurt or there is a loss of life. Use your head! Lawyers like a feeding frenzy in a law suit. The Mayor and Council personally should suffer the legal consequence, not the taxpayers! A motorist would not be responsible for not stoping since it will no longer be a legal corsswalk.

Up 43 Down 12

Stephen on Aug 5, 2020 at 5:43 pm

Lots of snowflakes here for it being the middle of summer. I’m white and straight and I’m mad!!

Up 45 Down 9

Pierre on Aug 5, 2020 at 5:36 pm

They should paint them transparent this would symbolize transparency.

Up 46 Down 14

JC on Aug 5, 2020 at 5:22 pm

Expat. I came up in 1975 and then I could smell what was left of the spirit of 98. Today, 45 year later, I won't mention the stench I smell now.

Up 95 Down 17

Just sad on Aug 5, 2020 at 4:54 pm

Not costly until someone gets hit.
Can Caucasians be part of it?
I wish Whitehorse maintained some sort of "reality" to it. I.E. signs for people's safety are taken as that, a sign for safety. There is no room for politics/lobbying in safety signs. At night will the black section show up as equally as the coloured sections? Making downtown look like a bowl of fruit loops.

Up 99 Down 22

Expat on Aug 5, 2020 at 3:50 pm

I never thought I’d say this but after being raised and living in Whitehorse for the better part of 50 years, moving away several years ago was the best move I’ve ever made. Reading stories like this one as well as all the other news concerning the shelter and proposed new drug injection place, etc. makes me realize how after living a lifetime there I don’t miss it one little iota. As a matter of fact there’s nothing that would make me consider going back and the only thing still keeping a lot of my friends there is their jobs and money. Almost no one originally from there wants to be in Whitehorse anymore, it’s just something they put up with. I am also so thankful that the majority of old time Yukoners I knew aren’t around anymore to see the place going down the drain.

Up 112 Down 16

Yukon Eddie on Aug 5, 2020 at 3:20 pm

This diversity nonsense is getting a bit out of hand. 500 people only represent about .015 of Whitehorse. To be fair, let's have a referendum on the issue. And the Mayor and council members better start considering the feelings and opinions of the majority. There's another election coming up soon. 500 people don't represent the majority of Whitehorse. Heterosexuals should have a say in this too. It's our money being spent on this. Mayor Curtis and Council members, I hope you read this comment.

Up 106 Down 12

Allan Stanley on Aug 5, 2020 at 2:55 pm

“I think this is a fantastic idea,” the mayor said. “I don’t think it will be costly."

REALLY Mayor ? It'll cost $10,000.
Money that would be better spent on the local Food Bank.

You must have been hiding in your basement for the last 5 months and
aren't aware of what's been happening on the planet.

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