Wed Jul. 08 2009 10:36:12 PM
Federal money for Pride parade may have led to minister's duties being chopped
The Canadian Press
A woman shows off her pride on her bike during the Dyke March in Toronto on Saturday, June 28,2008. (Richard Wahab/CTV Toronto-CP24)
OTTAWA — Industry Minister Tony Clement has taken over a key funding program -- a move one Tory MP says came as a result of another minister awarding $400,000 to the Toronto Gay Pride parade and allegedly shocking many in the Tory caucus.
Darren Cunningham, a spokesman for Clement, said Tuesday responsibility for the Marquee Tourism Events Program being switched to Clement from Diane Ablonczy had nothing to do with the donation.
"Mr. Clement is the senior minister for Industry Canada," said Cunningham, who insisted Ablonczy has not been demoted. "This does fall under Industry Canada."
Ablonczy is minister of state for tourism.
Brad Trost, MP for the Saskatchewan riding of Saskatoon-Humboldt, told LifeSiteNews.com that the decision to finance the June 28 parade surprised almost the entire Tory caucus and most of the Prime Minister's Office.
"The pro-life and the pro-family community should know and understand that the tourism funding money that went to the gay pride parade in Toronto was not government policy, was not supported by -- I think it's safe to say -- a large majority of the MPs," Trost told the site, which describes itself as a non-profit service dedicated to family issues.
"This was a very isolated decision."
But another Tory MP questioned Trost's interpretation of events.
"My reaction from what I'm hearing is that he's making most of it up," said the Conservative, who did not want to be identified.
The MP said it "could be true" that funding came as a shock to the caucus but added that only a handful of members said they might have a problem in their ridings when Ablonczy told them about the funding.
"The prime minister, I'm not sure if he responded at all."
Neither Trost nor Ablonczy returned calls Tuesday.
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Comments are now closed for this story
July 08, 2009 at 8:47:08 AM
Equality for All
I'm curious to know why Brad Trost thinks pro-life and pro-family communities need to know that the Gay pride parade was not supported by the government. Is he implying that the gay community are anti-life and anti-family? Just say that it was not 100% supported by all MP's and leave it at that!
July 08, 2009 at 9:04:42 AM
Shaun
good for the government for reprimanding this MP. I am not sure that our tax money should be going toward a circus that takes pride in loose living.
July 08, 2009 at 9:47:28 AM
Anne
You would think that, in a financial crisis that most families find themselves in right now, any "excess" money available to the govt. would go to help feed our own. The Pride Parade could have funded themselves easily.
July 08, 2009 at 9:47:42 AM
Joe
What most people fail to remember is that the Pride Festival is Canada's LARGEST Festival and costs just over $2.5 Million dollars to put on. But in turn pumps over $80 Million back into our economy here in Toronto our Province and our Country in a matter of a week.
People should really know the facts before they start criticizing people or organizations.
July 08, 2009 at 10:03:01 AM
James
Hold on a second here...
So a minister was reprimanded for supporting a Gay event... So the Tory Government Is publicly stating that they do Not Support Gays? I say Shame on the Tory's and Shame on Mr. Harper. I though Canada was a Tolerant Understanding nation, but It seams we are slipping Further and Further towards a fascist State under MR. Harpers leadership.
July 08, 2009 at 10:11:51 AM
Elizabeth
Being a single, straight, 27 yr old, female, I have no problem with the government spending $400,000 when the city makes much more then that in revenue and tourism. The pride parade showcases Toronto and how excepting we are of all faiths, beliefs, gender and sexual orientation. I'm proud to call Toronto my home and glad that the government continues to support the gay community. .
July 08, 2009 at 10:12:25 AM
Robin
What do you expect from the Clownservative government with their divide and conquer strategy? The Toronto Pride Festival injects $80M into Toronto's fledgling economy. You'd be surprised whom you find there: grandparents, parents with their children, people from various ethnicities coupled with a jovial atmosphere.
July 08, 2009 at 10:35:23 AM
Beth
The "parade", snd that is what it is, should not be funded. We need tax payers money going to better use and that's even laughable.
July 08, 2009 at 11:53:35 AM
Bob
Meh I would have rather seen the money go towards picking up my garbage not paying to create more. I live in the area of the parade and it's still a mess weeks later.
July 08, 2009 at 12:13:33 PM
Matthew (Toronto)
I am a gay man, and the taxes I pay help fund the Catholic school board. There, they teach that I am an "abomination." With taxes supporting hatred, it's nice to see some going towards tolerance and love.
July 08, 2009 at 12:35:16 PM
Anna
So would the same argument arise if this money went to Caribana Parade? Or perhaps Santa Claus Parade? Are they considered family oriented? What a shame....
July 08, 2009 at 12:42:29 PM
Sacha Martin
Disgusting. This is starting to feel like 1933 Germany under Chancellor Hitler...
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana (1863 - 1952), The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905
July 08, 2009 at 12:55:14 PM
steve
I have no children and I support schools through my taxes. Thats life and if you choose not to support the catholic school, support the public school.
Tax money should not go to any parade. If they are so profitable they can pay there way.
July 08, 2009 at 12:59:27 PM
DJT
How typical of the conservatives! But just wait, when the next election comes along, they will proudly be reminding everyone how they fund diversity - NOT!
Such two-faced hypocrates, like a lot of the people posting their opinions here against GAY people. SHAME, SHAME and you call yourselves Canadians????
July 08, 2009 at 1:02:40 PM
lance, toronto
Its about time the tax payers money is not thrown down the drain to appease a small but vocal group which wants to justify a spectacle, who choose to use every possible platform to justify their lifestyle.
Specially not during tough economic times where the common man is finding it difficult to maintain a decent living.The concerned minister should be charged for abusing taxpayers funds.I am concerned is this minister trying to justify this lifestyle if so let him come in the open.
July 08, 2009 at 1:23:22 PM
ts
The reason for the parade is not the point. My opinion of gays is irrelevant. The fact is, this is a special interest group and should not receive public funding. The parade would still go on without it and Canada, Toronto specifically, would still be known for supporting the community as it should. Just not with tax dollars. What other special interest group will expect funding now? Who decides who gets it and who doesn't?
July 08, 2009 at 1:48:18 PM
Elz
Like The Hell Would They Support A Gay Parade Worth $400,000 When Were In Such A Big Recession
July 08, 2009 at 3:53:20 PM
Bob in Toronto
Forgetting views about gays, and parades and anything else this EARMARKED tourism money went for...$400,000 INVESTMENT into something that garnered $80million plus (remember...that's TAXABLE money), returns MORE money to the gov't coffers than they put in. It makes ECONOMIC sense to fund this! The rate of return on their investment was quite high.
Maybe that's why it shouldn't be allowed.
July 08, 2009 at 3:58:30 PM
chris
Gays, Lesbians and Trans-Gendered people are not a minority in this country. They live everywhere and should be respected and accepted by all Canadians. Funding the parade is important to show that the government represents the people's views, that gays and lesbians et al are our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. we love them unconditionally. SHAME on those ignorant people who refuse to recognize them as equals. SHAME on the FACIST TORY MPS, one day we will run your regional splinter party out of the House of Commons for GOOD!
July 08, 2009 at 4:06:16 PM
Matthew (Toronto)
Steve: Tax dollars fund both Public and Catholic schools. You do not get to choose which one you support.
As for "special interest groups" would religious or ethnic charities fall into that category as well? Why is it okay for the government to provide small business grants to individuals, but they can't support a community?
These attitudes are exactly why we need Pride Festivals.
July 08, 2009 at 4:32:02 PM
Get you facts before you comment!
It's easy to bash others however it takes class to look at all the facts before making a comment.
Yes it is tax dollars being spent on say "a party" however this party generates millions of dollars back into the economy in return. Ih have seen more tax dollars go to lessor causes than the Pride Parade.
I am not even going to comment on the remarks about gay people as those who make the comments are not worth my time!
July 08, 2009 at 4:34:31 PM
Tired of gay bashing
The point everyone is missing is that the money was not for funding the Parade. Pride reps have said over and over again that it was specifically allocated for improved access for disabled people, website enhancements, infrastructure spending and entertainment - all of which will improve the visitor experience and increase tourism.
July 08, 2009 at 8:52:17 PM
Peter
Some of these comments are ridiculous!! For starters, you cant say all money spent in the city on that weekend during the parade is for that event. It's called SUMMER and people are here for a variety of reasons. So parade or no parade the city still would have collected taxes from people visiting, staying in hotels, shopping etc. Secondly, this is a recession, a time to be cutting back, not spending on an event that is heavily funded by private sponsors, enough to support itself without government help. Save the tax payers some money- whether they be gay, straight or other.