Montreal Pride Parade draws record crowd after abrupt cancellation of 2022 event

There was a festive mood across downtown Montreal on Sunday as the city's Pride parade drew a record number of participants one year after the 2022 event was abruptly cancelled.

There was a festive mood across downtown Montreal on Sunday as the city's Pride parade drew a record number of participants one year after the 2022 event was abruptly cancelled.

With pop music, glittery costumes and floats, the colourful event brought Rene-Levesque Boulevard to life at 1 p.m. Businesses, sports organizations, and LGBTQ2S+ community groups all marched in the parade.

Simon Gamache, head of parade organizer Pride Montreal, said around 15,500 people participated in the parade, a record for the event.

"Why are we here today? First of all, because we're proud of who we are, and we want to show that we're proud of who we are. Also, it's because we want to commemorate the struggles and victories of the past, but above all, it's because there is still a lot of injustice towards the LGBTQ2S+ communities, here and elsewhere", said Gamache in a speech just before the parade.

The parade, which closed the 17th edition of the Montreal Pride festival, mobilized 208 employees and 152 volunteers.

Several politicians also participated in the event, including Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who rode in a float alongside popular drag queen Barbada during the parade.