As tens of thousands of Torontonians celebrate Pride Week, Premier Kathleen Wynne is reminding members of the LGBTQ community to protect the rights it has fought so hard for.
Wynne, Canada’s first openly-gay premier, made the comment as she addressed participants in the annual Pride and Remembrance Run Saturday morning.
“The point of Pride is that we need to continue to be vigilant,” Wynne said. “We have come a long way, but the fact is that our rights and our privileges are precious and we have to guard them and we have to not assume that we will always have them because there are so many places in the world that don’t.”
About 1,200 people took part in the 3 K and 5 K Pride and Remembrance Run, including Wynne who was running for the 18th time.
The event, which had its start and finish lines at Church and Wellesley streets, raised about $94,000 for Planned Parenthood Toronto and the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives.
Speaking following the race, Wynne thanked those who participated and donated money before noting that she was looking forward to the rest of Pride, including Sunday’s parade down Yonge Street.
Wynne will march in that parade, becoming the first sitting premier to do so.
“I am looking forward to the rest of the weekend and I am looking forward to marching with all of you,” Wynne said. “It’s going to be a great Pride.”
Police continue to investigate threats
Wynne’s appearance Saturday came just one day after police revealed that two media outlets had received letters threatening participants in the Pride parade, including the premier.
The investigation into those letters continues and police contacted by CP24 Saturday morning said there has not been any developments in the case.
Wynne has not commented on the threats, and used her brief remarks Saturday to instead put the attention back on the LGBTQ community.
“We are a peaceful loving people. Is that fair? Is that a fair statement?” she said to applause.
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