Winnipeg Pride marches on during Manitoba's ongoing state of emergency over wildfires

CBC

01-06-2025

More than 10,000 people walked through downtown Winnipeg on Sunday as the annual Pride Parade marched on amid Manitoba's ongoing state of emergency.
Thousands more cheered and waved flags in support of the 2SLGBTQ+ community as they lined up along the smoky parade route from the Manitoba Legislature to The Forks.
Pride Winnipeg president Barry Karlenzig said the number of participants and attendees is among the largest he's seen during his 15 years with the organization.
He said it's not only an important time for the community to come together, but also to acknowledge Pride's roots as a political protest movement.
"It is a time to be loud and proud but also acknowledge what is going on up north," Karlenzig said.
He said Pride Winnipeg is donating half of the scholarship money raised over the weekend to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to help First Nations that had to evacuate due to wildfire threat.
"What Pride means to me is recognizing and remembering those who paved the way for where you are today and making sure that we take our privilege and our power to build it forward for the next generation," he said.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was among the thousands marching on Sunday.