Premier Tim Houston says he did not attend the Halifax Pride Parade because of potential security risks.
The RCMP warned the premier should not attend out of concern for the premier’s safety and for people in the parade or watching.
In an emailed statement, the premier said he did not attend “out of an abundance of caution,” but this does not diminish his support for the community.
“I have always said, no matter who you are, who you love or how you identify, there is a place for you in this province and you deserve to live without fear and intimidation,” Houston wrote.
His government is working on the first 2SLGBTQIA+ action plan in Canada, which he says is proof 2SLGBTQI+ Nova Scotians are important to their government. He also references the Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy, unveiled by his government last year.
A government spokesperson, Michelle Stevens, said the government does not not “provide insight or details” related to the security of the premier. Participating in the parade is organized by the Progressive Conservative Party, not the government, so she deferred to the party for further comment. Our newsroom has reached out.
Decision to attend ultimately up to Premier’s office, says RCMP
RCMP spokesperson Guillaume Tremblay said in an email that the advice provided, that Houston should not attend, was based on “environmental scans and threat assessments.” This time, they advised Houston based on “international events” and local protests.
“If the Premier had attended the parade, the RCMP believes that a disruption could have occurred, increasing the risk to the public’s safety and to himself.”
However, he said it was ultimately up to the Premier’s office whether or not Houston attended. If he did, then “RCMP resources are deployed accordingly.”
A video posted on social media shows pro-Palestine protesters blocking the street for the last few floats and groups, who were approaching the end of the parade. The parade eventually changes direction and heads down a different road.
A Halifax Regional Police spokesperson said there was a group of protesters there, but they were “dealt with by parade organizers.” They said police weren’t involved and differed any furth comment to the event organizers.
Pride team support’s right to protest
In a comment on a social media post, Halifax Pride said they want to ensure people that the Pride team did not “identify or communicate any safety concerns” for people in the parade. They also did not know the Progressive Conservative Party was absent from the parade until afterwards, the comment said.
In an email to parade participants, Halifax Pride outlined what to do in case demonstrators blocked the road.
“Pride staff and board will be present throughout the parade route, and are instructed to get to the point of stoppage as quickly as possible to engage with demonstrators.”
If they could not come to an agreement with demonstrators, then they would decide if the parade had to end early, the email said. They had to be off the street by 3:30 p.m. to avoid additional street closure costs.
Police would be on the scene but they were “advised not to engage” unless the Pride team asked, they said.
If the parade was stopped, the Pride team asked participants not to “engage with demonstrators in any way” and for both people in the parade and people watching to be respectful of the protesters.
“Halifax Pride fully supports anyone’s right to protest, as Pride itself started as a riot and protest. We also fully support the liberation of Palestine, and will engage directly with any groups who seek to engage with us, even in the case of stopping the parade.”
