REGINA — The Queen City Pride (QCP) Parade for 2025 has wrapped up, with organizers calling it an “incredible event.”
QCP co-chair Riviera Bonneau said around 5,000 to 6,000 people were part of the parade or viewing it.
“We were expecting it to be lower because the weather wasn't as nice.”
On Saturday, much of Saskatchewan was under a thunderstorm watch, including Regina.
Despite this, Bonneau said the event saw attendance numbers on par with other years.
“It means so much to us. To see people continue to be here and march loud and proud for our rights,” she said.
The theme for this year's event was “Free to be Me.”
From speaking with board members, Bonneau said the QCP Parade was a first for many attendees
“[They can show] exactly who they are in a space that is completely safe.“
While many communities are incorporating pride events, some have yet to recognize or celebrate Pride Month.
This includes Emo, Ontario, which refused to celebrate the month and received a $15,000 fine back in 2024.
Bonneau hopes their event can be used as an example for other communities to start celebrating Pride Month.
“We have been reached out to by some smaller pride organizations. [So], we do try to give them as much help and advice because we want to be that example.“
Sask. Party MLAs remain banned
As it stands, the QCP Parade event will continue banning Sask. Party MLAs until they are actively working to represent queer members.
“We will not allow people to mask as great allies for this month and then, you know, put out policies that actively hurt queer members and especially queer youth,” said Bonneau.
In 2023, Sask. passed Bill-137. “The bill outlines a number of rights that parents have to be involved in their children's (under 16) education and invokes the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian constitution to ensure parents must provide consent if a child wants to change their gender identification in school,”
The Pride Flag hasn't been raised at the Sask. Legislative Building since the bill's passing.
Bonneau said their group has been trying to speak with the Sask. Party, but haven't been reached out to.
“[This] says to me personally that they just don't care about us.“
As for next year's QCP Parade, Bonneau wants to continue growing it.
She also hopes to work with Regina on putting out traffic advisors for the event sooner.
