Prime Minister Heather Stefanson will not be invited to attend future Winnipeg Pride events after she did not attend Sunday’s parade, which the president of the organizer says insulted an entire community.
After former Prime Minister Brian Pallister spoke at a Pride demonstration without participating in the 2019 parade, Pride organizers implemented a policy that leaders invited to speak must also walk the parade.
After multiple meetings with his staff, it was determined that the new prime minister could speak before the parade, which he did.
Organizers say they were told he would walk at least two-thirds of the way after his speech, but he did not.
Pride president Barry Karlenzig says he feels like he was lied to for a photo shoot.
“Why does this team tell me something, and then the Prime Minister has the audacity to do exactly what the previous Prime Minister did?” said Karlenzig.
“Even after several meetings with this office saying that this cannot happen or that they will not be allowed to walk. So now they have done what we told them not to do. She is not invited next year. Point”.
In a statement, Stefanson said she was unable to join the parade due to schedule conflicts and that there was poor communication between her staff and organizers.
“I want to sincerely apologize to Pride Winnipeg and the 2SLGBTQ + community for not being able to join the marching part of Sunday’s events,” he said.
“I hope this mistake is an opportunity to forge a new path forward based on respect and shared goals to build a more inclusive and prosperous Manitoba.”
Karlenzig spoke on Wednesday evening with Stefanson’s chief of staff, who said oversight was his fault, but Karlenzig said he was holding the prime minister accountable.
A Stefanson spokesman said the prime minister had three events planned for the day of the parade.
In his statement, the Prime Minister says he hopes to meet with the Pride Winnipeg executive “to build a better relationship”.