FREDERICTON, New Brunswick (AP) — The mayor of New Brunswick’s capital city appeared before a human rights tribunal Thursday to explain why, for more than a decade, he has refused to sign a proclamation recognizing Gay Pride Week.
The hearing stemmed from a complaint filed with the province’s human rights commission two years ago by a local gay-rights group against Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside.
The hearing is expected to end today. If the tribunal decides the complaint against Woodside is justified, it could order the mayor to issue a Gay Pride Week proclamation and back that order with the threat of a fine.
Woodside, who has been in office for almost 20 years, says a majority of Fredericton’s 50,000 people support his position.