Federal and provincial leaders to march in Montreal’s Pride parade

A number of federal and provincial leaders are expected in Montreal today to march in the city’s annual Pride parade.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault will be in attendance, as will NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.

Trudeau, Singh and May also walked together in Vancouver’s Pride parade earlier this month.

READ MORE: Trudeau blasts Scheer for not marching in Canadian Pride parades for third straight year

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Organizers are expecting thousands to attend the 36th edition of the parade, which kicks off around 1 p.m.

The parade caps off an 11-day festival that included drag shows, concerts, panels, and tours of Montreal’s Gay Village neighbourhood.

But Montreal Pride president Éric Pineault says the event is about more than celebration, noting the organization received a record number of transphobic and homophobic messages on its social media platforms this year.

READ MORE: Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson comes out as gay in newspaper op-ed

WATCH MORE: Prime Minister Trudeau attends Vancouver Pride Parade, slams Scheer for not attending

1:53 Prime Minister Trudeau attends Vancouver Pride Parade, slams Scheer for not attending