Progress Updates and Changes to Petition

I really don’t have the words for the support this petition has received! When I first decided I was going to create a petition for this cause, I was expecting it would take months to see these many signatures and any hope for change. While I am saddened by how many others see the safety of women and girls in our community as an issue, I am also inspired and motivated to continue pushing for change. This cause is no longer just about me and my feelings but about the feelings and experiences of everyone who has signed.

After evaluating public feedback, I have decided to take out one “plan we demand to have”: to concentrate services for marginalized away from public areas and downtown.

While everyone who has commented on the petition sees the other plans I have proposed as ones which will without a doubt prevent violence against women and girls, this one has left the public divided. I would like to thank everyone who voiced concerns about this point, as it has opened me up to other opinions and made me want to do more research on this topic. Therefore, I have taken this proposed plan out as I would like to have a more thorough understanding on the matter before making a statement on it. Many have commented that this statement of mine stigmatizes the marginalized. I would like to extend my most sincere apologies for this, as although it may be true, it was never my intention. I would like to clarify that there isn’t one demographic of people downtown which safety issues can be blamed on – it is a very multifaceted issue in which any demographic has proven to be a contributor. 

In other news, I have had several Members of Council and other community members with decision-making power reach out to me in the past week and a half. I am excited to report that the petition has been received with excitement and a proactive, progressive attitude by all these individuals. Talks about how the petition’s safety measures can be implemented have begun, but I will hold off on commenting further until I can confidently say when and how safety measures will be implemented. You can, however, listen to an excerpt of my interview with French-Canadian journalist, Alexandre Bergeron, as well as read a little more about this progress at the link below.

Thanks again for all the support. Let’s keep the conversation going. If this petition doesn’t amount to any of the changes we are asking for, it has at least resulted in open dialogue. These honest conversations are so important, as they spread awareness for our cause and will always be the biggest instigator of change.