Editor:
I wanted to express my surprise and disappointment at the sudden reappearance of Valbella's products on the shelves of our local grocers – specifically Nesters in Banff – though I've heard elsewhere as well. Refusing to carry their goods was the right thing to do after the despicable comments made by the company's president and owners' son, and potentially future owner.
Both the individual in question and the ownership of the company have not yet satisfied the conditions I would have expected them to in order to earn such broad forgiveness. For me, that would be to satisfy those members of the community who were grievously harmed in the first place and I know that those people have not yet seen significant efforts to heal the wounds that were caused.
I really enjoy shopping at Nesters. It's convenient and often carries products not available elsewhere in town. That being said, seeing Valbella's products on the shelves again is a constant reminder there are so many in the community who, rather than stand with our LGBTQ2S+ neighbours, would cast the aggressors as the victims of some cancel culture scheme and preach forgiveness for something they themselves were not targeted by.
I personally can't forgive Valbella's until I know significant efforts have been made to mend the broken trust between them and their victims. I won't buy their products, and it makes me seriously reconsider shopping at places that provide them, as much as it may personally inconvenience me.
Mark Walker,
Banff
