Organizers have confirmed details of Vancouver’s 2025 Pride Parade, with a new route that will bring the procession back to the Davie Village.
The Pride Society said Thursday that financial pressures have led to a shorter route this year, about half the length of parades in previous years.
The society cited the growing cost of public safety and security, and “high fees imposed by the City of Vancouver,” which it said are straining its budget.
“The Pride parade and festival is very expensive, and there’s a lot of money needed for the security, fencing, porta potties, for the events, performers have to be paid,” said Pride Society secretary Morgane Oger.
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“The single dominant cost is policing and security. It’s a very high cost. It’s $150,000 just for the Vancouver Police Department.”
The organization says a grant from Fierté Pride Canada is helping it cover costs this year.
“Still, the board remains concerned by the small amount of material support provided by the City to date — particularly given the Pride Festival’s cultural, economic, and civic value to Vancouver and its residents,” it added.
The Aug. 3 procession will head from east to west this year, a reversal from previous events, starting at Pacific Boulevard near Griffiths Way.
The parade will end at the Davie Village Pride Festival, which will take over Davie Street between Burrard and Jervis streets.
The Pride Society said it is also in the process of “organizational renewal,” and will hold a series of roundtables and town hall meetings with the LGBTQ+ community to discuss “shaping the future of the organization.”
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