Rob Ford skips parade as expected, stokes controversy
An estimated one million people attended Toronto’s annual Pride Week parade Sunday, but it was the absence of one man that captured the attention of parade-goers and media. Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford sparked fierce debate in the city when he said he planned to spend the Canada Day long weekend at his family cottage, rather than at the parade or other Pride events. This year was the first year Toronto’s mayor has skipped Pride since Barbara Hall started the tradition during her term as mayor. Hall and former mayor David Miller marched in this year’s parade.