Canadian Bank Terminates Veteran and Her Son's Account Over Request to Display Canadian Flag Alongside Pride Flag (Exclusive Interview)

Canadian veteran Tanya Logan found herself at the center of a controversy when her simple request for a Canadian flag alongside pride flags led to her being “deleted” by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). In an exclusive interview with RAIR Foundation USA on March 25th, Logan detailed her experience and the ensuing legal battle that followed.

Last June, during Pride Month, Logan, who resides in Cherry Valley, questioned the display of three large pride flags at her bank branch in Belleville, Ontario. As a veteran, she felt compelled to ask whether including a Canadian flag alongside the pride flags was possible. “Is there any way that we, you know, instead of three giant pride flags, we can have one giant pride flag and include the Canadian flags?” she asked during the conversation with the bank manager.

In her interview, Logan emphasized her intention was not rooted in any prejudice, as her child is gay, but rather a concern that the prominence of pride flags might overshadow the representation of the Canadian flag. She explained, “I felt like our Canadian flag was being erased.” Moreover, she expressed her apprehension about speaking out, fearing being labeled as transphobic or homophobic.

She also tried to explain to the manager that the gay community has been infiltrated by pedophiles and extremists who use the platform to push their radical and criminal agenda. She also reminded him that these were not just her opinions but facts well-documented by Canada’s national police force (RCMP), even explaining that she had video documentation of this.

However, the bank manager’s response was not what she had hoped for. Despite her polite request and explanation, the manager insisted that the pride flags would remain. Although disappointed, she ended the call in a cordial manner. Yet, two weeks later, she received a termination letter from the bank, effectively ending her banking relationship. Shockingly, the bank also terminated her son’s access to the bank.

Logan suspected her termination was related to her request and subsequent tweets about her experience. Despite her efforts to seek clarification from the bank, she received no satisfactory response. Frustrated and determined to seek justice, Logan escalated the matter by involving her local Member of Parliament, Ryan Williams, and pursuing legal action.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Logan expressed her disappointment with the bank’s lack of transparency and accountability. She asserted her right to challenge the decision legally and vowed to pursue the matter in court. “I am legally allowed to sue for the highest amount of dollar because… I want my bank account back. And I want an explanation, and I want an apology,” she stated.

Furthermore, Logan highlighted the broader issue of individuals being “deleted” by banks due to their political views or actions. She noted that her case was not an isolated incident, with numerous Canadians—over 845, in fact—facing similar “debanking” consequences for expressing their views or engaging in political activism. Even the family members of the “debanked” individuals have been targeted.

Logan has discovered that the bank manager who terminated her and her son from the bank is himself “in the community of gay people.” Logan stated, “I found out from this person’s LinkedIn page that he is in the community of gay people and very vocal, and I did not know that. He is an activist on that side. And I would consider him an extremist for what he did personally to me.”

As the legal proceedings unfold, Logan remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice and hopes to shed light on the broader implications of corporate censorship and discrimination. She intends to make her case a focal point for media attention, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of free speech and accountability in corporate practices.

*It is important to note that Tanya Logan’s interview was conducted outside the courthouse following the hearings of Police Officer Helen Grus, who faced false charges of misconduct. Grus is under scrutiny for investigating a potential link between the Covid-19 vaccines and a concerning rise in baby deaths within the Ottawa Police Force. Logan came out to show her support for Detective Grus as she continues to be targeted by the state. See RAIR’s coverage of the Grus trial here.