A local pride committee is asking Minto council for new, more permanent pride banners. Minto Pride's letter was received by council Tuesday.

Chair Brayden Scott said the new decorations would be more sustainable, and harder to vandalize and be similar to Fergus and Elora models.

The pride organization felt the need to reach out to council after several vandalizations occurred within Minto in past years. Minto Pride signs, chalkboards and pole wraps have all been destroyed and/or removed in the last couple summers.

Scott says council has been helpful booth in the community and financially, adding that he believes the new banners would have widespread appeal.

"It's just a more permanent installation. We said to council in our letter that these are more sustainable, they're long-lasting and in fact they're more cost-effective," Scott explained.

"Really everybody wins by seeing these banners installed in the downtown core. It sends that visual messaging and representation that Minto is a place where everybody belongs and can feel safe," he added.

The banners, Scott believes, will inspire those in the community and beyond.

"That's just one more visual thing just again reminding our community and those passing through our community. Minto's a large geographic area and we know through the month of June and into the summer that many people are heading to Port Elgin and cottage country and so it's not just going to benefit our community but those passing through to go 'oh wow, how progressive of Minto,'" Scott said.

He adds Minto Pride will only ramp up their efforts amidst the discrimination they've seen.

Council received the letter for information and aims to respond by August.

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