UFCW gets colourful in Montreal for first-ever Canada Pride

Click on the image above to see the photo gallery.

Montreal – August 22, 2017 – UFCW Canada Local Unions from across the country were out in full force this past weekend, showing their solidarity and pride at the first-ever Canada Pride celebration held during Montreal's annual Pride festival – one of the largest LGBTQI2S gatherings in the country.

Over 100 UFCW Canada activists from across Quebec and beyond, including the UFCW International OUTreach committee, marched in solidarity alongside the stunning UFCW Canada Quebec Provincial Council float. Shaped like a boat, the parade float was created by UFCW Local 501 members working at Les Ateliers du Carnaval in Quebec City.  

Thousands of participants and attendees lined the streets of Montreal as parade marchers danced in celebration at the annual street festival. They were joined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ireland's first openly-gay Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar.

This year’s celebration marked the first-ever Canada Pride event, which going forward will be held in a different Canadian city every four years.

"Although there have been improvements in the lives of our LGBTQI2S sisters and brothers, many are still victims of bullying and discrimination in their workplace," says UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. "That is why it is so important for us to ensure that all UFCW members have the support of their union, and it is one of the reasons why we participate in Pride events across the country,” he adds.

From coast to coast, UFCW Canada plays a leading role in advocating for full equality and opportunity for members of the LGBTQI2S community. As part of our commitment, UFCW Canada has worked with a number of organizations to develop new resources to promote inclusiveness, including guides to help members start their own Pride Chapters in their Local Unions and in their workplaces. To learn more about UFCW Canada's advocacy within the LGBTQI2S community, click here.