Toronto Mayor John Tory is expected to mark the beginning of Pride month today by raising the rainbow and transgender flags at city hall.

"She was, honestly, a beautiful person. She had a very strong aura about her, it's just very sad."

Pride Toronto faced sharp criticism online over the sign, which encouraged attendees to connect with the land they were on.

Pride weekend in Toronto begins Friday and will include a full calendar of events, with the much-anticipated Pride parade taking place on Sunday.

Mayor John Tory officially proclaimed June as pride month as he raised the rainbow and transgender flags at City Hall on Tuesday.

June is Pride month, a celebration held annually to honour the Stonewall riots that took place in New York City in June 1969.

"Premier Ford has always said he will attend Toronto's Pride parade when our front-line police officers are allowed to participate in uniform," a Ford spokesperson said.

This, after Pride Toronto said the police were welcome to apply to be part of the festivities.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the government will provide $450,000 to Pride Toronto to lead an initiative that aims to improve the relationship between the LGBTQ community and the criminal justice system.

Pride Toronto said the decision to allow Toronto police to participate in the 2019 parade was made following a period of "co-operation and collaboration."