This petition is now closed as of January, 27 2025: International Holocaust Remembrance Day. After 6 months of advocacy, our local leaders have refused to say anything or do anything in the presence of neo-Nazi and white supremacist hate activity in Huron County.

Please read the January 27, 2025 update to find the open letter sent to MP Ben Lobb, MPP Lisa Thompson, and Warden Jamie Heffer.

May history record and remember their failure.

___________________________________________________________

Neo-Nazi and white supremacist hate groups target valued members of our communities: Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, Jewish people, people with disabilities and people living with chronic illness. 

Goderich has seen a recent increase in the promotion of neo-Nazi activity in our area. First we had the homemade billboard at our town entrance promoting a recognized white supremacist hate network. More recently, the Canadian Anti-Hate Network has published reports of a neo-Nazi meetup in Goderich in August 2024. 

(https://www.antihate.ca/us_neo_nazis_visit_canada_meeting_white_supremacist_active_clubs

Our political representatives at the county, provincial, and federal levels have so far refused to issue any statement denouncing hate activities in our midst. This is a profound betrayal of our most cherished beliefs of inclusion, compassion, and care for one another. 

We call on Conservative MP Ben Lobb, Conservative MPP Lisa Thompson, and Huron County Warden G̶l̶e̶n̶ ̶M̶c̶N̶e̶i̶l̶  Jamie Heffer to fully and unequivocally denounce neo-Nazi ideology and white supremacy in all of its forms, including the White Lives Matter network.

(Update September 28, 2024: Mayor Trevor Bazinet has publicly condemned hate activity in our community!)

(Update October 28, 2024: Goderich Town Council has reaffirmed its commitment to its core values in opposing hate. However, to date no elected official or governing body in Huron County has explicitly denounced Nazi or neo-Nazi ideology.)

(Update December 5, 2024: This petition has been updated to reflect the appointment of Jamie Heffer to the role of Warden of Huron County, along with a letter written to him reiterating the call of this petition.)

Huron County boasts some of the most fertile soil in the world, but together we must ensure that the seeds of hatred never take root here.