The Pride flag can now be seen at the Saugeen Shores Municipal office thanks to a flag raising ceremony to kick off Pride month June 1.
Jane Glenn | 3 June 2026
A good turnout, a clear blue sky and plenty of sun brought in June 1 as community members gathered to raise a rainbow flag to mark the beginning of Pride month. Approximately 80 people were in attendance at the new square at Pryde Plex for the ceremony with Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Saugeen First Nation Conrad Ritchie welcoming everyone to the event.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau noted that it was the eigth year for Pride in Saugeen Shores and each one is a good opportunity to reflect. He emphasized that the message was clear, that "we are and will be committed to welcoming you here, no matter who you are and who you love." He also said he found it inspiring that a group that has faced years of challenges and abuse, but chose the rainbow to represent them, "the most ancient symbol of hope...the world can be a dark place, we can feel despair, but the sky will clear, the sun will shine and rainbows will appear."
Rachel Paterson from the M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre thanked the municipality for raising the flag, saying she did not think of it as "just a bureaucratic exercise." She said town staff had been out encouraging businesses to display rainbow decals, for example, making sure that "everyone knows you are in a safe place and welcome here."
The new co-chair of PFLAG OS, Erin O'Leary took a moment to let people know that they've been doing peer support, advocacy and education for 25 years but that "many people don't know we're here and things have changed...we are now very much supporting the transgender community, that population is who we have been supporting the most over the past five years." O'Leary encouraged anyone who has a trans-curious or transitioning child or grandchild to reach out to their organization.
Saugeen First Nation Chief Conrad Ritchie showed his appreciation for the various communities coming together to celebrate Pride. He said we need to create "a new blueprint for our young people to follow," that the previous one had been based on "isolation and led to discrimination."
"We have to show young people that going into the future, everyone is looked out for," Ritchie said.
Saugeen First Nation Conrad Ritchie showed appreciation for communities coming together and spoke of a new future where everyone is looked out for.
Rachel Paterson from the M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre remarked on the town's efforts to encourage businesses to display rainbow decals for Pride month so that the queer community knows they're safe and welcome.
From left, Saugeen First Nation Chief Conrad Ritchie, PFLAG OS Co-Chair Erin O'Leary, M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre's Rachel Paterson and Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau addressed the crowd of about 80 at the Pride month kick off event June 1.
