Conservative MP says he will not attend Steinbach pride march due to values

A Conservative member of Parliament from rural Manitoba says he will not attend a pride march in his community because of his personal values.

Ted Falk had previously said he would not attend the July 9 march in Steinbach, since he had committed to going to another event called the Frog Follies.

The organizer of the agricultural festival said on social media that the pride march is more important, so Falk should feel free to change his plans.

Falk has issued a written statement saying that he would not attend the pride march even if he had nothing else on his schedule.

Falk says he is standing by his “values of faith, family and community” and people should respect his right not to attend.

The march is to be the first in Steinbach, a city of 14,000 people about 65 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.

READ MORE: Safety concerns for Steinbach Pride March this summer

Falk’s full statement:

“I will not be attending the Pride march taking place in Steinbach on July 9, nor do I intend to participate in any other events organized by this group. Just as I respect the right of people to participate in this event, I am hopeful the event organizers will be respectful of my choice, and the choice of many others, not to participate.

Even without a scheduling conflict, my decision to not attend would be the same.

I’ve been clear on this issue many times, and have made my position public on my values of faith, family and community.

I would expect that the organizers of any public event would be respectful and not create division in our community over any person’s individual choice whether or not to participate in their particular event.”