Canmore company fires employee over controversial transphobic email
WARNING: Transphobic and homophobic content below.
A Canmore food company is at the centre of controversy after an employee apparently sent a transphobic email to Canmore Pride.
The organization wrote to Valbella Fine Foods, asking for a donation for its fall barbeque.
The email it received in response said, in part:
"I'm sorry to say but you could not pay me enough to sponsor anything to do with child-grooming trannys.
"Please keep these sick people away from the children of this community. You should be disgusted with yourselves.
"I'm sure there's some woke organization mentally ill enough to help you with your event, but it isn't Valbellas."
Online backlash was immediate and intense, with many people promising to boycott the store.
At least one retailer and a major hotel said they're pulling the plug on the company's products.
Blush Lane Organic's CEO said, "We have pulled all their product from our shelves and cancelled existing orders. Our team is reaching out directly to Valbella to confirm their position and will make a decision on future sales once that investigation is complete."
Blush Lane Organic announced it has cancelled orders with Valbella
Jasper Park Lodge Hotel also announced it was cutting ties with the company.
As did the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Later Tuesday, Chantal von Rotz posted on Facebook and Instagram, stating that the company expressed its deepest apologies to the Canmore LGBTQ+ community.
Chantal said it was an "intolerant email" and said that the individual responsible for the email, who identified themselves as the company's owner, has been removed from the company and its operations.
Facebook apology from Chantal von Rotz
Several organizations posted to social media condeming the remarks.
Late Tuesday evening, Chantal clarified that the "owners of Valbella Gourmet Foods are the founders, Walter and Leonie von Rotz" and that "Jeff von Rotz, while he used the title, is not an owner.
"He held the official title of President. Effective July 26, 2022, he was terminated from his employment and no longer has any role or interest in the business."
Sunterra Market condemned the statements and said it was "having discussions to determine the path forward" after Valbella's decision to terminate Jeff von Rotz.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Events across Canada set to mark one year since Oct. 7 attacks, Israel-Hamas war
Ceremonies, events and protests are being held across Canada today to mark the anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
Israelis, scarred and battling on multiple fronts, mark a year since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack
Israelis were holding vigils and sombre ceremonies on Monday to mark a year since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, the deadliest in the country's history, which sparked the war in Gaza and scarred Israelis indelibly.
DEVELOPING Milton increases to a Category 2 hurricane as Florida prepares for massive evacuations
Milton increased to a Category 2 hurricane early Monday as Florida gears up for what could be its biggest evacuation in seven years as the storm heads toward major population centres including Tampa and Orlando.
Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, dead at 63
Christopher Ciccone, a multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
The cooking method you need to learn to get excited about vegetables this fall, expert says
'Eat more vegetables,' doctors and dietitians say over and over. But for many people, it’s hard to do, because they aren’t excited about veggies or just don’t like them.
Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
Timeline: What has happened in Canada since Oct. 7, 2023
The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas fighters on Israel last year, and the immediate Israeli retaliation that followed, sent shockwaves throughout the world that have shaken Canada culturally and politically.
Advocacy groups suspend use of 'suicide capsule' pending Swiss criminal probe into its first use
Advocacy groups behind a so-called suicide capsule said Sunday they have suspended the process of taking applications to use it as a criminal investigation into its first use in Switzerland is completed.
New Far North hospital moves closer to being built after $1.8B design, build contract awarded
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority and the Government of Ontario have awarded a $1.8 billion fixed-price contract to design, build and finance a new Far North hospital.