Local Pride events facing increased security costs
The federal government is offering more money to pay for security costs at Pride events amid rising anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate.
It’s something organizers in Waterloo region have seen first hand.
“Unfortunately there are people who think that us spreading love and building community is problematic,” Grand River Pride co-founder Bryan Causarano said.
“We’ve had some hateful emails. We’ve had signs ripped down.”
Causarano is in the midst of preparing for Grand River Pride’s first-ever street party in downtown Galt on Saturday.
The inaugural celebration in Cambridge has been more than a year in the making and caps off a series of events, including comedy and film nights and drag performances.
“We wanted to make sure future generations of kids can see the happiness, see love, see support wherever they go,” Causarano said.
But the show of love comes at a time when LGBTQ2S+ people are being increasingly targeted by hate.
Grand River Pride is spending $1,500 to have a pair of officers patrol the street party.
Meanwhile Tri-Pride said it’s seen its security costs nearly double to due inflation and additional hires.
"An increase of security is due to a spike in increased incidents of hate directed toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The increase is also to handle the anticipated increase in attendance to the festival," the festival said in an email.
LOCAL LGBTQ2S+ EVENTS TARGETED
In January, police added patrols outside of Elora Distilling due to threats against a drag show at the venue.
Around a month earlier, Guelph drag queen Crystal Quartz cancelled a show in Burlington due to online threats.
A transgender Pride flag crosswalk in Kitchener was also vandalized in April.
EMERGENCY FUNDING
Similar incidents across the country led to a request by the National Association of Canadian Pride Organizations for $1.5 million in emergency security funding in mid-May. On Monday, the government agreed to back that request.
But the timing of the government’s announcement means some events may miss out on paying for improved security.
Causarano said the situation is “a little bit stressful,” but ultimately, organizers are excited.
“I'm excited about all the stuff that's happening,” Causarano said. “I'm more excited just to see how happy people are that this is happening right where they live, right in the communities that they belong to.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.