Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has voiced support for LGBTQ+ rights as he joined thousands of revellers at Toronto’s annual Pride parade.
Carney marched alongside Mayor Olivia Chow on Sunday (28 June), greeting crowds, posing for photographs and taking part in one of the largest Pride celebrations in North America.
Speaking about equality and inclusion, the prime minister said people should be free to “love who you want to love”, echoing earlier remarks in which he described such freedoms as a core part of Canadian values.
Toronto’s Pride parade drew large crowds to the city centre, with colourful floats, performers and community groups taking part in the celebrations.
Carney’s appearance marked his first time attending the event since taking office last year. He marched with volunteers and supporters, including groups commemorating victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.
His comments come amid wider concern about a “backlash” against LGBTQ+ rights in some parts of the world, with the prime minister previously warning that progress made in recent decades cannot be taken for granted.
“Canada will always stand up for the vulnerable and the equal rights we cherish,” he said in earlier Pride-related remarks, stressing the need to continue advancing equality.
Toronto Pride is one of the biggest annual LGBTQ+ events globally, celebrating diversity and inclusion while also reflecting on the ongoing fight for equal rights.
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