A good example of a disconnect between what people say and how they act came to light during Cochrane Town Council discussions at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on May 17, 2021 about a draft Courtesy Flag Pole policy.

At that meeting Councillor Marni Fedeyko commented, “The Town is not saying that they endorse any group that is being flown on the flagpole…I would hate for in some ways to take a step backwards and especially when it became Pride right. Our local LGBT group here in town has fought a long time to have their flag flown…Just because a flag is flown does not mean that Town staff, Town Council or anyone is necessarily promoting it.”

While Councillor Fedeyko declared that, “The Town is not saying that they endorse any group that is being flown on the flagpole”, that was anything but the case when it came to raising the Pride flag in August 2020, an event Councillor Fedeyko actively participated in and promoted. And if she had anything to do with it, the Pride flag would remain flying all year round. Noteworthy, that there was no flag pole policy in place at that time and that the event was not authorized by the Town Council. Through several emails requesting information as to who authorized the flag raising, eventually, I was eventually given to understand that Mayor Genung and the Town’s interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Drew Hyndman, authorized the flag raising that took place on August 17, 2020, with Mayor Genung advising me in a September 23, 2020 email that, “The CAO and I met to discuss the details of Pride Week which included the flag raising proceedings, so ultimately the responsibility lies with him and I”.

 That event, the Pride flag raising, in fact, showed considerable involvement and endorsement by the Town, as per the following examples, although it is somewhat confusing as to what is meant by “the Town”, its unelected Administration or its elected Town Council, in whole or in part?

 

Strong support and endorsement by the Town Administration

The Town’s Equity & Inclusion Committee (an internal committee drawn from across the Administration’s staff) boasted in its February 22, 2021 Equity & Inclusion Committee Update Report to Town Council how it and the Senior Leadership Team helped to facilitate that event taking place, including even going so far as to purchase the flag and the rainbow facemasks for the event.

The Town’s Communications Department created a poster promoting the flag-raising event, inviting and encouraging Cochranites to participate with a tag line, “Join us as we proudly Raise the Flag”, where the “we” clearly includes the ‘Town’ given the prominent appearance of the Town’s logo below.

Strong support and endorsement by members of Cochrane’s Town Council

The Mayor participated in the event, spoke at the event and personally raised the flag. According to a Town of Cochrane Facebook post on August 13, 2020, advertising the event, “representatives from the Kindred Cochrane Pride Society and Cochrane Rainbows will join Mayor Jeff Genung and members of Town Council and senior administration for the ceremony.” That news release indicates that “When Pride Week was proclaimed by Town Council last month”, Mayor Genung was to have said the following, “Celebrating diversity is a vital and integral part of our society. In the spirit of inclusion, equity and human rights, Council encourages all residents of the Town of Cochrane to reflect on and embrace our differences while coming together to celebrate our inaugural Pride Week August 17-24.” However, that news release was incorrect saying “Pride Week was proclaimed by Town Council”. That proclamation, like any other proclamations declaring special days, weeks or months, are made at the discretion of the Mayor.

Mayor Genung reiterated the sentiments of that press release message in his speech at the flag raising event, “It is my privilege today to raise the Pride flag and kickoff Pride week in Cochrane for the very first time in our community’s history…It symbolizes our commitment to celebrating and accepting one another without condition…On behalf of all residents of Cochrane I am so pleased to raise the Progress Pride flag today. Joining me today up here are Councilor McFadden and Councilor Fedeyko.”

 When discussion came up on May 14 as to how communications of flag raising events would be handled it was explained that such communication would primarily be the responsibility of the group whose flag is flown. Mayor Gerung’s expressed satisfaction with the desired separation away from the perception of endorsement by the Town, which he described as “important”, is at odds with his, as well as the Town Administration’s, enthusiastic, active participation in the endorsement of last year’s Pride flag raising.

Two Town councillors, Councillor Fedeyko and Councillor McFadden accompanied Mayor Genung at the event. Cochrane Now reported, “Town councillor Marni Fedeyko has been working with Kindred Cochrane to make pride week a reality…”. Cochrane Today reported, “Serving as one of the primary sponsors for the event Counsellor Marni Fedeyko was also on hand for the flag-raising.”

The media in its heavy promotion of the event, no doubt taking its cue from the Town’s own press release, described the event as “Cochrane” or the “Town” celebrating the event by hosting the flag. For example, “The Town of Cochrane is celebrating its first-ever pride week with the raising of a flag outside the Cochrane RancheHouse” (Global News). “Raising of Pride flag marks start of Cochrane’s inaugural Pride Week…Cochrane launched its first-ever Pride Week” (Cochrane Today). “Calling the event a brave and bold step by the Town, Jennifer Bartlett attended the flag-raising ceremony…” (Cochrane Today). “The Pride Week was proclaimed last month by town council, and Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung and councillors will be present during the flag-raising ceremony…” (Calgary Herald) (Note: Proclaiming this or that week is a prerogative of the Mayor.) “Town kicked off its inaugural Cochrane Pride on Monday” (CBC). “The Pride society put in a request for the celebration in July. Mayor Jeff Genung said town council didn’t hesitate to accept” (CBC). (However, Town Council wasn’t involved in accepting the request!) “For the first time ever, Cochrane is celebrating its own official Pride Week” (Cochrane Times). “Sharpe and the team at Kindred are the primary organizers of most of this year’s Pride Week events, but the Town of Cochrane has put their stamp on the week as well by hosting an August 17 ceremony to raise a Pride flag in front of the RancheHouse for the first time” (Cochrane Times). “They have been super supportive,” said Sharpe of the town. “It’s been really great to work with them on getting the word out about Pride and we feel really honored that they are coming out in support in this way.” (Cochrane Times).

All of the above speaks volumes against Councillor Fedeyko’s assertion on May 17, 2021 that by raising a particular flag, “The Town is not saying that they endorse any group that is being flown on the flagpole”. Furthermore, it also contradicts her assertion, “Our local LGBT group here in town has fought a long time to have their flag flown”, as clearly there was little resistance, in fact the opposite, from the Town Administration, as well as, the Mayor and several of the Town Councillors.

When discussion came up on May 14 as to how communications of flag raising events would be handled it was explained that such communication would primarily be the responsibility of the group whose flag is flown. Mayor Gerung’s expressed satisfaction with the desired separation away from the perception of endorsement by the Town, which he described as “important”, is at odds with his, as well as the Town Administration’s, enthusiastic, active participation in the endorsement of last year’s Pride flag raising.

Councillors at Flag Raising August 2020

A ‘couple of us government officials’, including Mayor Genung, Tara McFadden and Marni Fedeyko.