Message from the Governor General on Pride Season 2025 Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - June is Pride Month, and it marks the beginning of Pride Season across Canada. In communities small and large, from coast to coast to coast, thousands will celebrate, speak out, dance, march and learn.
For decades, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community have remained steadfast in their fight for the right to be seen, to be treated equally and to be accepted. Their contributions at every level, from grassroots to nationwide, have helped us all build a more inclusive, more connected and more understanding Canada.
Yet even today, we continue to witness discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ peoples. They are disproportionally more vulnerable to online abuse and harassment, something that was highlighted during my symposium on digital respect last April. This hatred has no place in Canada, and we must speak out against it at every opportunity. We must defend those who are being targeted simply for being themselves.
This June, I urge all Canadians to learn more about 2SLGBTQI+ culture and history, and to celebrate the diversity that makes us stronger as a nation.
And I encourage all 2SLGBTQI+ peoples to take pride in what you have accomplished and gained, and how far you have come. Most of all, take pride in who you are and never back down.
Mary Simon
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Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Premiers, PM talk about ‘generational change' after high-stakes meeting
SASKATOON — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the nation-building projects discussed by the premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday present a 'generational opportunity for Canadians,' especially those who live in poorer communities. Provincial and territorial leaders sat down with Carney in Saskatoon and each premier was armed with wish lists of major projects they hope the federal government will deem to be in the national interest, then fast-track for approval. 'The point is to build the certainty, the stability and the ambition that builders need to catalyze enormous investment — investment to make Canada into an energy superpower,' Carney said at the closing news conference. Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew, left to right, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of Canada Dominic LeBlanc, Premier of Québec François Legault, Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt, and Premier of the Northwest Territories R.J. Simpson during the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Liam Richards / The Canadian Press) Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the gathering was the 'best' they have had in the last decade — a light jab at former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who frequently had frosty relations with the group, especially prairie premiers looking to build out the energy sector. Ford said the premiers, and the whole country along with them, stand united as Canada comes under attack from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs — even as some in the group scrapped over pipeline politics. While the group mulled over a number of potential natural resource and infrastructure developments in private, they did not release a final list. 'Nothing was carved in stone at this meeting,' Ford said, adding he had no expectations the prime minster would approve specific projects at the meeting. 'I described him today as Santa Claus. He's coming and his sled was full of all sorts of stuff. Now he's taking off back to the North Pole and he's going to sort it out and he's going to call us.' The federal Liberals have yet to reveal in Parliament their promised legislation to speed up approvals for select projects to a maximum of two years. That could be tabled as early as this week. When he was pressed on the lack of specifics after the meeting, Carney said he could name lots of examples of contenders. He rattled off a list that included the Grays Bay Road and Port, which would connect southern Canada to the Arctic by road, along with the Ring of Fire mining project in northern Ontario. Notably, he mentioned the Pathways Alliance oilsands project, though he did not commit to any. Carney said the group would refine what should count as priority projects over the summer and touted that as 'private proponents become aware of the opportunity here, we're going to see more projects coming forward.' He said the upcoming federal legislation will also mandate meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples, including in which projects get picked and how they are developed. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith went into the meeting warning that any list that doesn't include new pipelines would send a bad message to her province. She left the meeting on a positive note, saying it's up to political leaders to find a proponent for a new pipeline and that she's willing to give this process a chance. Premier of Saskatchewan Scott Moe, left to right, Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew, and Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador John Hogan during to the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Liam Richards / The Canadian Press) 'I'm encouraged by the immediate change of tone that we've seen from recent months,' she said. 'When we hear the prime minster talking about being an energy superpower, we haven't heard that language for some time.' Before the meeting, Kinew was asked how confident he was that one of his pet projects — modernizing the Port of Churchill — would get the green light from Ottawa. 'We need to get our natural resources in Canada to tidewater. I think, in time, you'll see that Hudson Bay is probably the most tenable course towards hitting international tide waters.' He was asked about the challenges of building a heavy-traffic rail line to the northern port. 'We have tidewater. We've got communities who are ready to engage in northern Manitoba to bring these natural resources to market. So let's use the private sector to figure out the engineering, the best route and how to energize the Western Canadian engine that's going to power the Canadian economy,' he said. In April, Kinew and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok signed a statement to work together to push for an energy corridor to the North. Akeeagok said Monday he sees the potential to strengthen Canada's sovereignty and the North, for a change. 'The infrastructure gap between north and south is something that, I think, we're all taking note of, and that this is our moment as a country where we're unified around wanting to see us prosper and to become stronger and very much look forward to seeing actual infrastructure built to ensure that our communities are healthy,' Nunavut's premier said. When asked how he'd like to see fellow premiers react if their projects don't make the cut, Kinew used a hockey metaphor. 'This is Team Canada and it doesn't matter if you're the first shift for the initial puck drop or if you're there killing the penalties. At the end of the day, everyone's going to have their time on ice and everyone's going to have a role in building up this great country,' he said. On the issue of Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, the prime minister said he plans to work urgently to have them removed. Carney called it a top priority and said Ottawa is speaking with Chinese officials at the ministerial level. Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew speaks to media prior to the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Liam Richards / The Canadian Press) A statement released after the meeting said premiers want Canada's trading relationship with China to improve. Beijing imposed retaliatory tariffs of 100 per cent on Canadian canola oil and meal, peas and seafood after Ottawa slapped levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has said China's tariffs threaten his province's canola industry. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Kinew agreed it's a major priority for Manitoba. 'I think it speaks to the fact that we're trying to solve this complex, multi-variable equation: We have the Trump administration on one side and then we have an ascendant People's Republic of China on the other side,' he said. 'I think that this meeting here today of the first ministers… is an important step forward for us being able to have that showdown with China, have that showdown with the Trump administration and make sure that you and your jobs come out on top.' — with files from The Canadian Press Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Calgary Herald
an hour ago
- Calgary Herald
John Ivison: Premiers seem delighted just to finally be meeting with a grown-up prime minister
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CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Toronto raises Pride Flag at city hall to mark start of Pride Month
The City of Toronto officially marked the start of Pride Month on Monday, raising the Pride Flag outside City Hall. (CP24) Toronto officially marked the start of Pride Month on Monday, with the raising of the Pride Flag outside City Hall. Mayor Olivia Chow was joined by several city councillors and members from Pride Toronto for the ceremony, which kicks off a month of activities and events leading up the official four-day festival from June 26 to 29. 'Pride Month is both a celebration and call to action,' Chow said ahead of the official flag raising. 'A reminder of the ongoing work needed to make sure that we have equality, safety and belonging for everyone, no matter gender identity [or] sexual orientation.' This year's Pride Toronto theme is 'All In. The raising of the Pride Flag comes just days after the organization lost two major corporate sponsors, Google and Home Depot, following a number of other corporate sponsorship losses and/or funding reductions in recent months. The non-profit in charge of the 2SLGBTQ+ festival is facing a shortfall of around $700,000 as a result. 'We've all seen the depressing news,' Chow said. 'Pride Toronto has lost some corporate sponsors because they just don't know who they are. They're short sighted… don't shop at Home Depot, guys.' The city has increased it's funding for the festival this year, providing $350,000 and committing to increased funding for the next two years. 'You cannot be supporting pride only when it's convenient to do so,' Toronto Centre Coun. and chair of the 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, Chris Moise, said at the flag raising ceremony. 'I would encourage all of our true allies to step up and continue to support Pride Toronto in their mission. Show us the money. Put your money where your mouth is.' Home Depot provided a written statement to CP24 over the weekend, writing in part, 'We continually review our nonprofit giving and decided not to contribute to this event this year with no agreement in place to do so.' 'We continue to participate in Pride activities throughout Canada and look forward to working with Toronto Pride on future opportunities.' At today's ceremony, Pride Toronto's executive director Kojo Modeste said they will not be quick to forgive sponsors that pulled out of this year's festival. 'I am very sorry to say that if at this point in time you're turning your back on us, when you come back, the locks of the house will be changed and the key that you have will not work,' he said. With files from CP24's Joanna Lavoie and CTV's Aarjavee Raaj
