Aurora rainbow crosswalk: Pride support or 'waste of taxpayers' money'?

Councillors to debate proposed $12,000 'sticker shock' project at July 14 meeting

Yorkregion.com
July 15, 2020

At their next meeting, scheduled for the night of July 14, Aurora councillors are set to discuss a controversial proposal to build a rainbow crosswalk downtown.

Mayor Tom Mrakas wants to create the rainbow on the south side of the intersection of Yonge and Wellington streets to show permanent support for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Aurora and other communities across the province have shown their support for Pride and the LGBTQ+ community by raising the Pride flag in June every year, and … the permanent installation of a rainbow crosswalk is a symbol of the Town of Aurora’s acceptance of, support for, and commitment to diversity and inclusiveness,” his motion says.

“The intent of this initiative is to show vulnerable people in our community that Aurora is a town where everyone is welcome and accepted.”

Mrakas’s motion did not mention a price, but a source with knowledge of the issue confirmed a published report that the price tag is at least $12,000, a dollar figure which has created “sticker shock.”

There has been extensive reaction to the proposal on social media.

While some support the idea of creating something that supports diversity -- although some aren’t sure the crosswalk is the best use of public funds to do that -- others are calling the proposed initiative a “waste of taxpayers’ money.”