Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, in a flamboyant yellow outfit, attended the city’s Progress Pride flag-raising ceremony, delivering harsh words for sponsors withdrawing their support for the Pride parade.
The City of Toronto held a ceremony commemorating the raising of the Pride Progress flag, featuring drag queens, music, and supportive statements from city politicians about the beginning of Pride Month.
In her speech at the event, Chow pounced on Home Depot and Google for pulling their sponsorship of the Toronto pride parade, calling them “shortsighted. .
“Now we’ve all seen the depressing news,” started Chow. “Pride Toronto have lost some corporate sponsors because they just don’t know who they are, they’re shortsighted.”
“Then there are now Google and… okay I know I hate telling them, don’t shop at Home Depot guys. Rona, Rona, there are other choices.”
City Councillor Chris Moise also criticized the companies who have pulled their support from Pride Toronto and for their larger retreat from DEI initiatives.
“You cannot be supporting pride only when it’s convenient to do so. I would encourage all of our true allies to step up and continue to support Pride Toronto in their mission,” said Moise.
“Show us the money. Put your money where your mouth is. As Canadians…yes money talks and bullshit walks.”
In the lead-up to Toronto’s Pride Parade, several corporate sponsors from years past have pulled their sponsorships worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Companies who have indicated they are ceasing support of the parade include Adidas and Nissan in addition to Home Depot and Google. Merck Canada, Tim Hortons, and The Abnormal Beauty Company are lowering their contribution amounts.
In response, Chow indicated that the city would be providing Pride Toronto with a $350,000 grant to compensate for the loss in sponsorship revenue, a grant she plans on renewing annually with more money.
Chow also sat in the audience to watch a dance from drag queen Sanjina DaBish Queen. During the performance, Chow joined the drag queen.
Chow is no stranger to dawning flamboyant attire and dancing in the awkward manner that only she knows how.
In August 2024, Chow attended Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival wearing a reveller costume and dancing.