By Mickey Djuric
Pierre Poilievre’s office has been conspicuously silent on whether he intends to walk in Pride parades, unlike other political party leaders who loudly proclaim their intent to do so. It set off more than a few years of political observers and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, as it represents the significance of Pride events in giving an avenue to political leaders for coming out openly to show support for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.
The Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, has made no public comment as to whether he will attend any Pride events this year. That puts him squarely at odds with other party leaders, who have been free to state their plans. Liberal Party of Canada leader Justin Trudeau says he will join several Pride events from coast to coast, as his party has done for years in support of LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Similarly, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has expressed a desire to attend the Pride events, explaining that one stands with people who have continuously fought years of discrimination for the sake of inclusivity. The green leader, Annamie Paul, has also attended, emphasizing continuous support for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Participation in pride has not been met with an official statement from the office of Pierre Poilievre, so some question the stance of the Conservative Party of Canada when it comes to LGBTQ+ and how it reaches diversified communities right across Canada.
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Political leaders have shown their support for equality and diversity by participating in Pride events in the past years and connecting with diversified voters who hold these values very special. The silence from Poilievre’s office has led to criticism from various sections of society, who question the Conservative Party’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and whether that aligns with greater societal expectations and legal protections. Indeed, advocacy groups have argued that open support for Pride events is an important aspect through which political leaders can advance LGBTQ+ rights and a more inclusive society. The attention will be directed toward whether Pierre Poilievre is going to make an appearance in any Pride activities taking place within the country.
The issue has been launched as one signature point to galvanize the wider debate on political leadership, representation, and commitment to diversity and human rights in the mosaic that is, or should be, Canadian politics.
