Ottawa Pride parade cancelled due to pro-Palestinian protesters

Ottawa Pride Parade Cancelled Due to Pro-Palestinian Protest

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s annual Pride parade was abruptly cancelled on Sunday after being disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

Pro-Palestinian Rally Planned During Pride Parade

A group known as Queers for Palestine – Ottawa had organized a rally to coincide with the Pride parade, leading to tensions and ultimately the cancellation of the event.

Controversy Surrounding Capital Pride’s Solidarity Statement

Last year, elected officials and other groups opted to boycott the parade after Capital Pride released a statement expressing solidarity with Palestinians. The statement has since been removed from the organization’s website.

Protesters Call for Reaffirmation of Solidarity

A video circulating online shows a protester demanding that Capital Pride recommit to supporting the pro-Palestinian cause. Additionally, they called for elected officials who boycotted last year’s parade to issue apologies.

Mayor Sutcliffe Expresses Regret

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who was in attendance at the disrupted parade, expressed disappointment over the protesters’ actions, labeling it as “deeply regrettable.”

Parade Cancelled by Capital Pride

Following the disruption, Capital Pride made the decision to cancel the parade, which was set to pass by Parliament Hill, around 3 p.m.

This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on August 24, 2025.

The Canadian Press