(Ottawa) Pierre Poilievre is the only federal leader whose team has not said whether he will attend Pride celebrations this summer.
Officials for Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May have all confirmed they will attend at various Pride events.
The NDP leader’s office confirmed that Jagmeet Singh will participate in the Pride parade this weekend in Toronto, a tradition that dates back to his time as a provincial MP. He is also expected to participate in the Montreal Pride parade in August.
The Conservative leader’s office only notes that deputy leader Melissa Lantsman attended a Pride flag-raising ceremony on Parliament Hill earlier this month in Ottawa.
Jordan Ames-Sinclair, a Two-Spirit activist, said at that June 3 ceremony that people should be careful about who is present.
“I think it’s interesting to note who’s not here,” Jordan Ames-Sinclair said.
Mr. Poilievre did not publicly participate in “Pride Month” activities in June while traveling across the country to meet with community groups during Quebec’s National Day, Italian Heritage Month or the Festival of Christian music in Toronto.
LGBTQ groups across North America celebrate June as “Pride Month,” although festivals and parades take place throughout the summer in various Canadian cities.
Pride Month is celebrated each year in June, coinciding with the anniversary of New York’s 1969 Stonewall Riots, which erupted following police raids on a gay club. The overarching goal is to achieve equality for the LGBTQ+ community, while elevating the voices and culture of its members.
Hate crimes on the rise
Helen Kennedy, CEO of Egale Canada, said that since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a substantial increase in hate crimes targeting people because of their sexual orientation.
A Statistics Canada report released this year found 491 hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in 2022, an increase of 12% from the previous high recorded in 2021.
Targeting race and sexual orientation also account for most of the overall increase in hate crimes seen in 2022, according to the report.
“When there is this level of hatred and violence against a marginalized group, I think it’s really important to send a clear message that some politicians are not going to tolerate it,” Mr.me Kennedy. That there are certain politicians who will stand alongside – and with – and promote what true inclusion means.”
Canada has not been immune to the growing debate, including over which toilets people should be allowed to use and whether children can decide, without their parents’ advice, to change their name or pronoun they identify with.
Polls suggest Canadians are divided on the issue, and some protests have turned into heated clashes.
“People feel encouraged to speak out more violently against some of these issues,” Ms.me Kennedy.
“I think there’s a lot of misinformation, I think queer communities, particularly the trans community, have become scapegoats for political interests and political gains. »