The Liberal Party of Canada is the latest major group to withdraw from the annual Ottawa Pride parade after organizers pledged solidarity with Palestinians in a statement earlier this month.
“In light of recent decisions made by the Capital Pride board, the Liberal Party has decided not to participate in Capital Pride events this year, and instead will host our own event to celebrate Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQI+ communities,” said Liberal Party spokesperson Parker Lund in a statement.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously taken part in the Pride parade in the nation’s capital, as have some other prominent political leaders.
This year, groups that have marched before have announced plans to pull out of the parade, while others are contemplating whether to follow suit.
The wave of backlash began after Capital Pride issued a statement on Aug. 6 expressing solidarity with Palestinians and accusing the Israeli government for “pinkwashing” the ongoing Israel-Hamas war by citing its LGBTQ2S+ inclusivity in an effort to “draw attention away” from its actions in Gaza.
The statement condemned, “in the strongest possible terms,” the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023. It also pledged to “recognize the ongoing genocide against Palestinians” in opening remarks at 2024 Capital Pride Festival signature events, among other commitments.
While some organizations, such as Queers4Palestine Ottawa applauded Capital Pride for pledging to boycott Israeli companies, the statement drew considerable backlash from Jewish residents and advocacy groups such as B’nai Brith Canada and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.
Mayor, hospitals, embassies pull out
It didn’t take long for some local organizations and leaders to announce they were pulling out of this Sunday’s parade.
Among the latest to take a stance is the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, telling CTV News on Monday that it will not participate in the parade.
A volunteer network of public servants has also told its members that it won’t be taking part, as The Canadian Press first reported. Instead, the Public Service Pride Network is encouraging federal public workers to organizer smaller “inclusive, safe and people-centred” team events.
Last week, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he would not be participating in the parade or other Capital Pride events, and implored those running the festival to “take steps to ensure no one feels excluded.”
“This decision by the board, days before the start of Pride, has unfortunately created an atmosphere where many now do not feel welcome to participate,” Sutcliffe said in a statement last week.
“Pride has always been and should continue to be a celebration of diversity and inclusion where no one feels excluded for who they are.”
On Friday, The Ottawa Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) also said they would not participate in the parade, vowing to organize Pride events of their own to mark the occasion.
In a memo sent to staff at CHEO obtained by CTV News Ottawa, CHEO president and CEO Alex Munter that given members of the community have indicated they don’t feel safe attending, taking part would “send a message of exclusion, which is the opposite of what we believe.”
The same day, the German Embassy in Ottawa posted on “X” that it would not support “delegitimizing” Israel or promote boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) efforts. “Pride events have to be a safe and supportive space for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people and should not to be misused for other political purposes,” the embassy said.
The New Democratic Party of Canada still plans to attend Capital Pride, stating its intent is to show people, “especially young 2SLGBTQ people, in Ottawa and across the country that we see them and support them.”
“The NDP has been absolutely unequivocally clear in our position on the Israel-Hamas war. We continue to advocate vocally for a ceasefire, for the safe return of all hostages, for humanitarian aid, and for actions that will bring justice, peace and safety for everyone in the region,” said a spokesperson in a statement.
New Capital Pride statement
Amid the ongoing pullouts, Capital Pride issued a new statement Monday to “reiterate our commitment to fostering safe and inclusive spaces where everyone is welcomed.”
In the new post, organizers said they’ve heard the concerns of community members and wanted to “reaffirm” that all members of the LGBTQ2S+ from all religions deserve to feel valued at Pride.
In an interview on CTV Morning Live Ottawa Capital Pride executive director Callie Metler said those planning this year’s celebrations did anticipate “all angles” of response to their position on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“One of our pillars at Capital Pride is to advocate for community, and you know, we have queer and trans community members all over the world, and it is our job to advocate for them, too,” Metler said.
While parade organizers do expect “a little bit of a felt difference,” Metler said they are still expecting more than 10,000 people to turn out, and they are preparing as they have in years past, for protests.
CTV News has reached out to the Conservative and Green parties, as well as the Treasury Board Secretariat about their plans.
The annual Capital Pride Festival kicked off this weekend, and is set to conclude with the parade on Sunday.
With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond and Jackie Perez