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'Frustration and disappointment' as Montreal Pride cancels parade

Organizers say they reached out because they lacked manpower to ensure security along the route.

After the cancellation of Montreal's Pride parade, several hundred people, including Nina Brébant, showed up to an alternate event at Place Émilie Gamelin
Numbers Including Nina After Montreal Pride Parade Canceled Hundreds will be held on Sunday at Brébant, Place Émilie Gamelin Photo by John Kenney /Montreal Gazette

Hours. organizers announced the cancellation of the Montreal Pride Parade before the start of the event.

The organizers have been forced to cancel the event in agreement with the Montreal Police Department," Montreal Pridesaid in a statement on Facebook. Thousands of participants were expected to head downtown for the parade, which moved east on Boulevard Rene Levesque, up Boulevard Rene Levesque, in an interview with Presse Canadienne by phone, Montreal. Pride executive director Simon Gamache said the organization was short of 80 people on Sunday morning, most of whom had been assigned to close the road.

He said the cancellation was the result of multiple factors, including a COVID-19 case that week, multiple cases of possible heat stroke, and the previous day's contributions.

Other people who said they could help had not shown up at previous events, Gamache said, and organizers said they weren't sure if they were going to the parade.

"Montreal Pride is not immune to human resource issues. Olympic Stadium will proceed as planned.

Cancellation of parade announced. Community members soon announced another unrelated event at Place Emily Gamelin.

At a press conference on Sunday, Mayor Valerie Plante said she was embarrassed by the sudden cancellation of the parade.

"I wore a pink suit and was looking forward to walking with the people of Montreal at the most important LGBTQAI2+ parade in North America." she said.

“We called the SPVM and the organizers and said, ‘What? is happening? Why is it canceled hours before the event?'

``Let the Pride (parade) organizers provide their version. I can assure you from the city, had we been informed earlier, we would have put our energies (to make it happen) if we knew they lacked the means

“I feel frustrated and disappointed. I love pride. It is sad that we cannot celebrate our status together."

  1. Thousands took part in the Montreal Pride parade on Sunday Aug. 15, 2021.

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  2. Veteran drag performer Armand Monroe with a painting of himself, in which artist Yvon Goulet recreated a photo of Monroe from the dust-jacket cover of the 1993 Montreal drag queen documentary Lip Gloss. Making his debut in 1958 under the name La Monroe, he was soon hired to program and MC shows and played a transformative role in the evolution of Montreal nightlife.

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The last-minute announcement to cancel the parade also drew criticism on social media.

"Staffing shortages? Did the organization notice today?" asked one commenter on Twitter, stating that organizers had been more aggressive in the months leading up to Pride. I pointed out that I had never posted that many volunteers were needed.

Another Twitter user wrote:

Due to the 2020 pandemic, the Pride of Montreal he parade has been cancelled.In 2021, a smaller Pride Marchwill be held. No floats or vehicles.

With files from Presse Canadienne.

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