Dear Editor:
I recently wrote to North Perth Mayor Todd Kasenberg in regard to the most recent publication for the Municipality of North Perth, Community Connection Newsletter.
On the cover page of the newletter there is an area entitled, Days of Significance. No where on there do I see any mention of Victoria Day. I have attempted to contact several people within the municipality with little or no success.
Yesterday my wife received a response to her email from Mackenzie Hamilton, communications coordinator, her response was a little concerning, I quote, “At this time, Victoria Day is not currently included in our Days of Significance list. We encourage you to submit it for consideration so it can be reviewed for potential approval and inclusion.”
Last time I looked it was a Canadian public holiday, declared in 1845, and after the Queen’s death in 1901, an act was passed to legally establish May 24th as “Victoria Day”.
I read that the list of Days of Significance was an initiative of the DEI Advisory Committee. I looked up the definition of diversity and inclusivity, again I quote, “While diversity is a measure of representation (who is in the room), inclusivity is the measure of culture and experience (how everyone in the room is treated and feels). I raised this concern at a meeting I attended on Wednesday, people were very surprised that it was not included, we all agreed it must have been an oversight, to learn that it was intentionally not included was very disappointing to hear.
To say the least we feel a sense of great frustration.
I would respectfully submit to Mayor Kasenberg a request to address this issue of concern.
Brian Pearce,
North Perth
