Large crowds are expected as Toronto hosts Canada’s largest Pride parade
TORONTO – Huge crowds are expected on the streets of downtown Toronto today for Canada’s largest Pride parade.
The annual event, which concludes weeks of festivities in honor of the city’s LGBTQ community, is expected to draw thousands of protesters and 250 participating groups.
Some prominent politicians are also expected, including federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and a handful of candidates hoping to be elected mayor of the city on Monday.
But the event will unfold amid heightened security prompted by a rise in threats targeting Pride festivals across the country and a spate of hateful incidents targeting the LGBTQ community.
Parade organizer Pride Toronto says police costs have more than doubled this year, while insurance costs have risen from $67,000 in 2022 to more than $300,000.
The parade is scheduled to start at 2 p.m
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 25, 2023.
