Liberal Party of Canada joins growing list backing out of Capital Pride

More groups including the Liberal Party of Canada have chosen not to participate in events organized by Capital Pride in Ottawa this year in response to a pro-Palestinian statement issued by the organization earlier this month.

On Aug. 6, Capital Pride put out a letter stating it was «concerned by the rising tide of antisemitism and Islamophobia» in Canada. Organizers condemned both the terrorist act committed on Oct. 7 and the «endless and brutal campaign in Gaza,» which it said is causing the deaths of «innocent Palestinians — many of whom have friends, families and loved ones in our communities.»

Capital Pride also issued four commitments: integrating the Palestinian BDS National Committee's boycott list, hosting a «Queer Arab Showcase» during the festival, noting the «ongoing genocide» in certain speeches and calling for a permanent ceasefire.

More groups back out

On Monday, the Liberal Party of Canada told CBC in an email that it will not participate in Capital Pride events this year.

«The Liberal Party has a proud history of standing up for 2SLGBTQI+ rights, and we will continue to be unwavering in our fight to build a more equal and inclusive Canada for everyone,» a spokesperson wrote.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who announced last week that he will not attend any Capital Pride events, told CBC that he agrees with the Liberal Party's decision.

The Public Service Pride Network (PSPN) has told CBC by email that it will not march in the Pride parade this year because it «wants to focus on inclusive, safe and people-centred events that celebrate our pride in our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.»

And the Montfort Hospital wrote in a French-language statement that it has also chosen not to participate in what would have been the