Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley Walks In Pride Parade, Says Province Has Made Big Strides

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Sep, 2016 11:19 AM
    CALGARY — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the province has made big strides in improving sexual minority rights.
     
    Notley took part in Calgary's annual pride parade on Sunday, noting that since she was elected to the legislature in 2008, the province's human rights code included protection for people on the basis of sexual orientation.
     
    She says the province also ensures students have access to gay-straight alliances in schools, and it's no longer acceptable to say things in the legislature that were still OK when she first took a seat there.
     
    Tens of thousands of people lined the route to watch the Calgary parade this year, which included 4,000 participants.
     
    Former premier Alison Redford became the first Alberta premier to march in a pride parade when she acted as grand marshal for Calgary's event in 2013.
     
    Along with the costumes and decorated vehicles, there was also remembrance of the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando earlier this year that killed 49 people and injured more than 50.
     
    "I think it re-inserted the idea of why pride is important and why our community needs to band together," Calgary Pride co-director Craig Sklenar said. "It was able to, if anything, bring our community closer together and band together even more."
     
    The athletics community was also represented in the parade, including Calgary Flames forward Matt Stajan and recently retired Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish.
     
    "As athletes we set the tone. High school students are going to look to us to see how their locker rooms should be. It's up to us to create safe places that people can be themselves," Cornish said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Ottawa Refuses To Criminalize Cellphone Use At The Wheel

    OTTAWA — The federal government is not considering making cellphone use at the wheel a criminal offence.

    Ottawa Refuses To Criminalize Cellphone Use At The Wheel

    U.S. Border Agents Rescue Canadians From Ontario House Fire

    U.S. Border Agents Rescue Canadians From Ontario House Fire
    BUFFALO, N.Y. — Americans have unexpectedly come ashore in Canada for the second time in less than a week — but they weren't wayward partiers — they came here to save lives.

    U.S. Border Agents Rescue Canadians From Ontario House Fire

    Trudeau Wants To Engage On Trade, Investment And Human Rights With China

    Trudeau Wants To Engage On Trade, Investment And Human Rights With China
    SAGUENAY, Que. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he wants to "reset" Canada's relationship with China.

    Trudeau Wants To Engage On Trade, Investment And Human Rights With China

    Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper Resigns From House Of Commons

    Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper Resigns From House Of Commons
    The former Conservative leader announced he was stepping down as MP for the riding of Calgary Heritage in a statement and video that was posted to his social media channels.

    Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper Resigns From House Of Commons

    Ottawa Runs $1 Billion Deficit In First Quarter, Down From $5 Billion Surplus Last Year

    Ottawa Runs $1 Billion Deficit In First Quarter, Down From $5 Billion Surplus Last Year
    For June, the federal government ran a deficit of $1.1 billion as revenue fell and spending increased

    Ottawa Runs $1 Billion Deficit In First Quarter, Down From $5 Billion Surplus Last Year

    Environment Canada Confirms Two Tornadoes Hit Windsor, Ont., Area

    Environment Canada Confirms Two Tornadoes Hit Windsor, Ont., Area
    WINDSOR, Ont. — Environment Canada confirms that two tornadoes touched down in the Windsor, Ont., area earlier this week.

    Environment Canada Confirms Two Tornadoes Hit Windsor, Ont., Area