Royal Bank acts on backlash.

Toronto -- Our November 2004 issue (News in Brief, p. 37) reported on the Royal Bank of Canada's Rainbow Space initiative to create a "safe place" for homosexual employees (and presumably customers). The directive that employees Canada Family' display a Action Coalition Rainbow Triangle sticker on their desks could well have resulted in the accusations of "homophobia" for those who refused to do so.

The Bank has now reversed its support for this initiative. In a letter dated October 14, RBC Senior Vice-President David Moorcroft announced: "Effective today, the sign component of the program is being eliminated."

Major credit for the program's cancellation is due to the Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC) which, supported by Christian Coalition International (Canada), immediately launched a boycott of the bank. Said Mr. Moorcroft, "Anytime someone boycotts, it's a concern. But that's not the reason we made the decision."

Brian Rushfeldt, CFAC executive director, stated, "Each person that acted by closing their accounts ... should be commended for taking a stand for freedom of thought (and) conscience." CFAC estimates that 300,000 people were prepared to take part in the boycott. They should remain alert, as the bank is promising to review the program after December 31 (Canada Free Press, and Lifesite News).

Comment:

Mainstream media have had nothing to say about this development although it was featured initially on The Motts noontime radio show on CFRB Toronto (where the initiative received a loud raspberry from listeners) and in Michael Coren's Saturday column in the Toronto Sun. As far as we can see, our November advice to Catholic parishes and dioceses to go elsewhere for their banking needs still holds true.