Sault Ste. Marie's city council is looking to fight racism, bigotry and homophobia in the area

Members of the city council in Sault Ste. Marie are looking to tackle racism, bigotry and homophobia by creating an Anti-hate Committee at city hall.

Sault Ste. Marie Ward 3 Councilor Angela Caputo. (Supplied)

A recent protest against a 2SLGBTQ+ story telling event was one motivator for Ward 3 councillor Angela Caputo, who, alongside Ward 5 councillor Corey Gardi, brought forth the idea to their colleagues.

She said that it fits a need, with other city-led committees not fully covering the hate speech that she believes is growing along with right-wing extremism.

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Caputo told CTV News that in her mind, the committee would seek to make the community more inclusive and would allow minority groups more say in situations that involve them, particularly around incidents of hate speech.

“We have very little diversity, aside from the three women who are sitting on council,” said Caputo.

“So I think it’s very important that we are able to be advised on situations involving diverse groups, by those diverse groups, rather than have white voices speak on behalf of black, Indigenous and people of colour.”

City staff are currently working on a report on the Anti-hate Committee proposed that council would vote on to implement.

Caputo said she believes it has strong support among the rest of city council.

Full details of the motion can be found here.

With files from CTV News Sault Ste. Marie video journalist Cory Nordstrom.