Social media, MP, weigh in on Richmond Hill council’s anthem decision
Mayor Barrow sets record straight: ‘we did not remove anthem’

YorkRegion.com
May 20, 2015
Kim Zarzour  

“We didn’t ‘nix’ O Canada in Richmond Hill.”

That’s the word from Mayor Dave Barrow at Tuesday night’s council committee meeting, responding to controversy over a council decision last week to begin meetings with a brief mission statement rather than prayer.

That decision, prompted by a Supreme Court ruling declaring the prayer to be unconstitutional, spun into a social media frenzy last week after an amendment to the motion – to add the national anthem to the statement as part of opening ceremonies – was rejected.

The amendment presented by Ward 1 Councillor Greg Beros was defeated in a vote of 5 to 4, with a majority of councillors suggesting that it would prolong the already late-starting meetings and could lead to legal trouble with the anthem’s reference to God.

But when word of the vote spread, councillors found themselves being lambasted in social media as unpatriotic.

Richmond Hill Conservative MP Costas Menegakis weighed in at the House of Commons Friday, saying he was disappointed with the decision.

“Governments at all levels should encourage citizens to participate in singing our national anthem, a symbol of pride, and not discourage them,” he said, adding, “I am concerned with the town council's decision and I urge the council to reconsider.”

Barrow said Tuesday he felt a need to clear the air.

“I think it’s important to say that contrary to some media [reports] and social media, it has never been our practice to begin council with the national anthem, so we didn’t remove it from our procedures. In fact, most municipalities don’t even begin their meetings with a prayer or statement or the national anthem.”

The decision was not about patriotism, he said, but about finding an appropriate way to begin council meetings.

“The statement that council did approve reinforces the role that we have as elected representatives,” he said.

“We pride ourselves in being a diverse community, a welcoming community, a reflection of Canada and what it means to be Canadian.”

If Richmond Hill were to add the anthem to the start of council meetings, it would be the only municipality in York Region to do so.