[URBAN NOTE] "Mayor Rob Ford refuses to attend Pride parade"

[rfmcdonald]

Can anyone claim to be surprised by Ford's decision well in advance not to attend Pride? Really surprised?

Mayor Rob Ford once again plans to miss the Pride parade, saying he’ll be at his family cottage on Canada Day weekend and can’t commit to any event in 10-day festival.

“No, I’m not attending Pride,” Ford told reporters Wednesday morning when asked about the July 1 parade. He cited his family cottage tradition, just as he did last year when first asked if he would continue a tradition set by Toronto’s past three mayors.

Asked Wednesday if he will attend any of the many events in the June 22 to July 1 festival, Ford shrugged, said “I don’t know . . . I take it event by event.”

Pride Toronto executive director Kevin Beaulieu called his decision disappointing.

[. . . ]

Beaulieu held out hope that Ford would appear at one of a series of events leading up to the parade, such as the raising of the Pride flag in front of City Hall on June 25 at noon.

Last year Ford was in town for the flag-raising but sent ally Councillor Francis Nunziata. She was loudly booed when she read a proclamation that began, “I, Mayor Rob Ford . . . ”

Beaulieu said any appearance would be “a show of support that would be appreciated. If this is not something he’s been able to do in the past, then there’s always opportunity for growth and increased understanding and co-operation.”

[. . .]

Ford attends many parades and public events. On Easter weekend, he went to the Good Friday procession in Little Italy and the Beaches Easter parade.

Councillor Michelle Berardinetti, a member of Ford’s executive, plans to attend many Pride events and is “strongly encouraging” the mayor to go to this year’s flag-raising.

Councillor Doug Ford, the mayor’s brother and closest adviser, suggested reporters were jumping the gun by demanding to know if the mayor will attend an event more than two months away.

“I’ve attended Pride, I support Pride. I was down there, I donated a few thousand dollars to Pride and will continue to do so,” he said.