The Manitoba prime minister apologized after Pride Winnipeg accused her of using the rally as a photo operation and ignoring the parade. Despite the apology, Pride says the prime minister will not be welcomed again.
Prime Minister Heather Stephenson was among the leaders who spoke at the 2022 Pride Rally in front of the Manitoba legislature on Sunday. However, according to Pride Winnipeg after his speech, the prime minister left the event and did not go to the parade.
Barry Karlenzig, president of Pride Winnipeg, said the organization has a policy in place that expects all speakers at the rally to go to the parade – something he said the prime minister’s office has confirmed three times.
“She not only kept her word on our board, but also on our 2SLGBTQ + community. We will not allow this to happen again, “Karlenzig said in a press release.
Pride Winnipeg called on the prime minister to apologize for what he called a “gross lack of respect for our community.”
“Pride Winnipeg will not allow the current government to use the annual Pride Rally as a photo operation or to take a place in our public events without going to us to show real full support for our community,” the statement said.
The prime minister apologized on Thursday for not attending the march, saying he did not realize he was required to attend the parade.
“I was never told it was a requirement to speak at the rally. I would never want to disrespect anyone there and I am really sorry if I did not respect that,” Stephenson told reporters on Thursday.
She said she missed the parade due to a conflict in the schedule and improper communication between her staff and Pride organizers.
A spokesman for the prime minister’s office told CTV News that Stephenson had attended two other events that day – the “I LOVE YOU, I run for women” event from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and a public event at Maples Chitalishte organized by the Indo-Canadian Maples Seniors Society from noon to 2 p.m.
The rally was supposed to start at 10 am and the parade to start at 11 am. Stephenson said he did not want to attend part of the parade and leave early because he thought it would be disrespectful.
“I participated in the rally – I participated and participated because I really support the LGBTQ + community with two spirits,” she said. “I apologize to all the Manitobans. I apologize to those who were offended as a result. I think it was a misunderstanding. I want to guarantee that we will try to rebuild this relationship.”
Stephenson said her office has contacted Pride Winnipeg and will meet with the organization to resolve the issue.
However, Pride Winnipeg has said it will not invite the prime minister to speak at any Pride events in 2023, including the rally.
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