Merry Christmas debate heads back to Saskatoon’s executive committee

Feb 14, 2013 | 11:47 PM

François Biber

paNOW Staff

The cultural diversity and race relations committee at city hall could not decide on a recommendation to city council, about having other religious holiday messages on city buses.

“The item was very sensitive and there was no concrete decisions we could send to the executive committee. There are strong and valid points on both sides in regards to whether or not we should keep these messages on buses,” said the committee’s vice-chair Michael San Miguel.

“We were asked whether or not we should include other messages on the boards and we could only provide them with the information as received and the information we’ve provided for executive to review.”

A complaint was filed to city hall in December, from a Saskatoon resident Ashu Solo. He was unhappy with the city’s decision to display Merry Christmas on city buses, because it is a violation of our rights of freedom from religion.

After Thursday’s meeting, Solo was disappointed the committee didn’t solve the issue or make any recommendations.

“Seems like they just copped out and didn’t make a decision and they’re leaving it up to the executive committee,” Solo said.

“I wish they would have at least come up with a recommendation.”

The information and arguments presented at the committee level will now be brought to the executive committee which is made up of the mayor and city councillors.

Councillor Troy Davies is council’s representative on the committee, and to him it’s clear what city council’s view on this issue is.

“With the conversations with people I’ve had in my ward, I’m not interested in taking Merry Christmas off buses,” Davies said.

“For now it is as is. We’ll get the notes from the committee and bring it to the table. If any councillors want to make changes or talk further on this we’ll see what happens.”

Solo said if the executive committee doesn’t come up with a fair, non-discriminatory policy, he said he would proceed with a human rights complaint to the Saskatchewan human rights commission.

“I think happy holidays would be good because it includes the Winter Solstice, Festivus, New Year’s Day and Kwanzaa and I think that will be the best,” said Solo.

San Miguel said the calendar never stops, meaning eventually a decision will be made concerning the future of holiday messages on city transit buses.

“As we get closer to any other holidays Easter is coming up I don’t know if there will be any messages on buses about Easter, but Christmas isn’t that far away,” said San Miguel.

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