'As if we don't have overfunded police': Canadians suspicious of decision to cancel Montreal Pride Parade last minute
Many people who had planned on attending Montreal’s Pride Parade are speculating as to why it was cancelled a few hours before it was scheduled to start.
Organizers say they made the decision to call off the event due to lack of security staffed along the parade route. They specified that they were down 80 volunteers, which is what led to the cancellation. Organizers had initially stated the decision was made with the police, though they later rescinded that statement, saying it was solely on the organizers. Other Pride-related events and festivities, including a headlining performance by Brazilian drag queen Pabllo Vittar, went ahead as planned.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told a press conference on Sunday that she was surprised by the news of the cancellation, and if she and her staff had been made aware, they would have put in the work to help fix the problem.
"My frustration this morning is realizing that it seems there were decisions made, but we were never informed, and that's disappointing," she said.
Online, some speculated and wondered whether there were other reasons to cancel the main Pride event a few hours before it was set to happen.
the pride parade in montreal is cancelled today because of lack of security. as if we dont have enough overfunded police in the city.
— san (@yaaburnightmare) August 7, 2022
this Montreal pride parade cancelation seems a bit fishy
— Pedro 🪩🌈 (@christmasgay) August 7, 2022
congratulations to city of montreal and the police for turning a corporate pride parade into a platform for an actual angry pride protest https://t.co/JgFISBCjzJ
— 🐻☀️ (@warm_blankets) August 7, 2022
Gay Pride Parade cancelled at the very last moment for security reasons!! What a huge black eye to Montreal and Plante. People worldwide travelled here for Pride. Difficult to get tourists. Easy to lose them. #polmtl https://t.co/g7eqDmb7wg
— Marion Bialek (@LoveThePlateau) August 7, 2022
Imagine if next year’s Montréal Pride parade was also a protest without corporate sponsors. And then the year after that. And then the year after that.
— Étienne Quintal (@quintal_etienne) August 8, 2022
the police cancelled the montreal pride parade barely four hours before it started stating a “lack of volunteers” is absolute bullshit
— mars (@munsonshills) August 7, 2022
The Montreal Pride Parade scheduled to take place Sunday afternoon was cancelled this morning, citing a lack of security staff for the parade route. Hmm 🤔 there must be more to the story. Very disappointing and sad for all those who spent time and money preparing for the event.
— TFo (@thanef67) August 7, 2022
A bit homophobic of Montreal pride parade to be cancelled the morning of
— liz (@Garbagelizard17) August 7, 2022
The Montreal police cancelled the pride parade bc of lack of volunteers which doesn't sound right to me bc it's the POLICES job to keep people safe, not volunteers?? Screams homophobia/transphobia to me.
— vic! 💜 (@choerrysua) August 7, 2022
pretty sure police aren't very welcome at pride... so perhaps that contributed to the lack of volunteers...??? just raising the question.... i don't know for sure. i'm trying to find more information, thats just what a friend told me...
— tanner ☮️ (@tan_man19) August 7, 2022
Shame on the organizers of the Montreal Pride Parade. Did you just wake up this morning and realize this?? Did you reach out to anyone on social media?? You have no business organizing this, you should all be replaced. What an embarrassment for our amazing, inclusive city.
— Gail Mendelman (@GailMendelman) August 7, 2022
So the Pride Parade in Montreal got cancelled. The organizing group says it's due to them FORGETTING TO HIRE VOLUNTEERS.
But the cancellation comes 2 days after they told the Montreal Police Service not to attend.
I'm not buying that excuse.— BY2K 🇨🇦 (@TheBY2K) August 8, 2022
love and strength to #Montreal #LGBTQ community and our many allies. Canceling #Pride (parade) the day of is scary in a time where marching, and even attending queer events is becoming dangerous due to far right violence
— Ketra Schmitt (@KetraSchmitt) August 7, 2022
Despite the lack of a Pride Parade, many in the city still took to the streets to be seen and heard. A last minute sit-in was also organized at a city square, to protest the cancellation.
They cancelled Montreal Pride Parade but the Afro Pride float is leading us on an unofficial route #fierteMTL pic.twitter.com/WDoROCLdy8
— Dr Jake Taylor (@AstroJake) August 7, 2022
Montréal fierté might have cancelled the Pride Parade, but that won’t stop Montréal! 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/gCRIwqYRIB
— Jonathan Pedneault (@j_pedneault) August 7, 2022
Montreal Pride Parade cancelled hours before it was supposed to happen was disappointing but at least we got to see this 😁 #fierteMTL pic.twitter.com/dHp7EM2fPM
— Jeff Hannon (@Jeffrey_Hannon) August 7, 2022
Montreal “cancelling” the pride parade and everyone just showing up anyways is so fucking hard. I love my city.
— Depressean (@Depressean_) August 8, 2022