As Vancouver Pride begins, security, finances in focus
Setup is underway in the Davie Village, with Pride events taking place throughout the weekend.
And while many are excited, security and financial considerations are top of mind.
'This is supposed to be a safe, festive, fun celebration of diversity in our community and we will do everything that we can to make sure that it continues to be that way,' said Sgt. Steve Addison of the Vancouver Police Department Friday.
'That means uniformed officers, VPD personnel, traffic closures where needed, barricades to block streets.'
While many in the community are grateful for the security preparations, which include concrete barriers to protect against vehicles entering the heart of the party – the costs associated with that bring their own challenges.
The Vancouver Pride Society has been vocal about wanting the City of Vancouver to contribute more to the event.
'It's a little galling that basically the way the city has been funding the Vancouver Pride Society is they charge us this huge bill for security and clean up costs, and then they discount us a little bit and they call that sponsoring,' Vancouver Pride Society secretary Morgane Oger told CTV News on Friday.
The City of Vancouver has said it is contributing $75,000 in in-kind support to the society for this weekend's events, and has contributed nearly $100,000 in grants since 2020.
Adding to the challenges for organizers, there's been a major drop-off in corporate sponsorship for the event in recent years.
But there are changes this year that many are welcoming.
The route is going back to an east-west path, ending closer to the heart of the West End.
That change is coinciding with the return of the Davie Village Pride Fest after a six-year hiatus.
'It's huge,' said Teri Smith with the West End Business Improvement Association, of the change in trajectory of the route.
'We heard very loud and clear from our community, both our businesses and our residents, that when the parade relocated and the festival along with it, there was a huge sense of loss.'
Celebrations began Friday, running through the weekend, with the main event on Sunday with the parade and the Pride Fest in Davie Village.
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