Equality and inclusion on display at Pride festivities in Vancouver and Charlottetown

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Vancouver and Charlottetown, P.E.I. – August 10, 2017 – UFCW Canada activists from across British Columbia and Prince Edward Island recently celebrated equality, diversity, and inclusion at Pride events in each province.

In Vancouver, UFCW Canada Local 1518 activists walked in solidarity with LGBTQI2S activists and community members, joining the thousands of onlookers and dozens of floats that lined the city’s streets as part of the 39th annual Vancouver Pride parade. At the event, UFCW Canada activists handed out whistles and engaged with the crowd while marching towards Pacific Street, where the parade ended. This year’s event drew over half a million participants and spectators – including British Columbia Premier John Horgan – making it one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country.

In Charlottetown, UFCW Canada blue and gold was on full display as activists from UFCW Canada Local 864 and the UFCW Canada Eastern Provinces Council (EPC) marched down Grafton Street, handing out pens and engaging with parade-goers as part of the 2017 P.E.I. Pride parade.

"Events like the Vancouver and P.E.I. Pride parades highlight the diversity, courage, and enormous contributions of our sisters and brothers in the LGBTQI2S community,” says UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. "From coast to coast, UFCW Canada is united in creating safe spaces for all members, regardless of their sexual orientations or identities,” he adds.

UFCW Canada plays a leading role in advocating for full equality and opportunity for members of the LGBTQI2S community. As part of our commitment, UFCW Canada has worked with a number of organizations to develop new resources to promote inclusiveness, including guides to help members start their own Pride Chapters in their Local Unions and in their workplaces. To learn more about UFCW Canada's advocacy within the LGBTQI2S community, click here.