Canadian town faces legal consequences for not flying the rainbow flag during Pride Month.

The Canadian town is facing a fine of $10,000 for not participating in Pride Month and not flying the "LGBTQ2 rainbow flag" outside its municipal building.

The town of Emo, Ontario, with a population of approximately 1,300 and located near the Minnesota border, was found to have violated the Ontario Human Rights Code by refusing to declare June as Pride Month, according to a report from the National Post.

Despite not having an official flag pole, the town was still given a citation for not flying an LGBTQ2 rainbow flag, according to the report.

Officials from the town were mandated to undergo "human rights" training in addition to the $10,000 fine.

The report states that the decision to cite Emo originated from a 2020 event where Borderland Pride, a group, sent a written request asking Emo to declare June Pride Month.

The group's request included a draft proclamation that emphasized the importance of pride in showing community support and belonging for LGBTQ2 individuals, as well as the positive impact of the diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression on society.

The city was requested by Borderland Pride to display an "LGBTQ2 rainbow flag for a week."

The request was rejected by a 3-2 vote at a later Emo township council meeting, with Mayor Harold McQuaker stating that "no flags were being flown for the other side of the coin... there were no flags being flown for the straight people."

Karen Dawson, vice-chair of the Human Rights Tribunal, found the remark "demeaning and disparaging of the LGBTQ2 community" to be particularly offensive and considered it discrimination under the Code.

Dawson contended that the comment was made near McQuaker's rejection of the Borderland Pride request, implying it was discriminatory according to the Code.

The report stated that Borderland Pride sought a $15,000 fine for the Township and a $10,000 fine for each of the three council members who voted against their request. However, the tribunal ultimately decided on a $10,000 fine for the township and a $5,000 fine for McQuaker.

McQuaker and Emo’s chief administrative officer were instructed to complete an online course offered by the Ontario Human Rights Commission titled "Human Rights 101" and submit proof of completion to Borderland Pride within 30 days.