Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is calling for an independent investigation into the mess that led to the cancellation of Montreal’s Pride March last Sunday.
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The mayor met with members of the organization’s management, including General Manager Simon Gamache, at City Hall on Monday evening.
According to information from TVA Nouvelles, Mayor Plante shared her expectations for Montreal Pride. The investigative process will analyze the team’s work to understand in detail what happened.
The committee will be set up in the next few days.
The committee of inquiry must make recommendations to restore public confidence, particularly the LGBTQ community, in Fierté Montréal. The Mayor also wants to ensure that the organization can ensure the success of future Pride events.
The parade is the flagship of Montreal Pride Week. Thousands of people from Quebec and other parts of North America were expected. On Sunday morning, Valérie Plante said she was disappointed by the cancellation of the parade.
“Where were the calls for help on social media 48 hours before the event?” asks Michel Dorion, a former member of the Pride Montreal Administrative Committee.
“There are people who are hidden, who are uncomfortable going out, and for them this day is the day when they can come and party in the streets, assert themselves and feel free and safe at a festive event. We’re not happy for them,” he adds.
“The leadership of the organization is a bit depraved,” said Patrice Lavoie, communications specialist.
“Pride Montreal needs to do a mea culpa and state how it will proceed next year from now on to ensure a situation like this doesn’t happen again,” added Mr. Lavoie.
Pride Montreal declined to comment on the situation.