A provincial court judge is granting three organizations intervener status in Emo township’s request for a judicial review of a Human Rights Tribunal decision.

The Ontario tribunal ruled against the township and Mayor Harold McQuaker over its decision to deny Borderland Pride’s request to declare Pride Week in 2020.

Emo Township is asking the court to review the decision.

The judge okayed involvement by advocacy groups, the Canadian Constitution Foundation, Justice for Children and Youth and Canada Pride.

A fourth request from the Association for Reformed Political Action, a grassroots Christian advocacy group, was rejected.

In the ruling, the judge stated he was “not satisfied that the position to be advanced by ARPA will further the court’s determination of the matter under appeal.”

“In the decision under review, religious or conscientious reasons were not raised.”

No date has been announced when the case will be heard.