Ottawa Pride Parade Cancelled by Pro-Palestinian Protesters

The annual Pride parade in Ottawa was cancelled on August 24, 2025, after it was interrupted by a pro-Palestinian advocacy group, Queers for Palestine — Ottawa (Q4P). The group blocked the parade route, demanding negotiations with the organizers, Capital Pride. The interruption occurred shortly before the parade was scheduled to commence, leading to an official cancellation announced on social media.

Q4P stated that the action was taken “with the permission” of the event’s grand marshal. Protesters chanted, “This is what a village looks like!” referencing the theme, “We are a village,” that Capital Pride had adopted for 2025. The group outlined several demands, including the implementation of a “boycott, divestment, and sanctions” policy regarding Israel, as well as an ongoing cultural and academic boycott.

In their press release, Q4P called for an apology from Ottawa’s Mayor, Mark Sutcliffe, and other officials for their previous actions related to Capital Pride. They urged these leaders to “stand with us and all oppressed peoples, including Palestinians,” emphasizing that their pride celebrations should not be compromised by corporate interests or political affiliations.

Capital Pride announced the cancellation of the parade just before 15:00 local time, reflecting the escalating tensions surrounding this year’s event. In 2024, Capital Pride faced controversy after issuing a letter condemning both the “acts of terrorism” on October 7 and Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they described as “an endless and brutal campaign.” This statement drew sharp criticism from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, which labeled it “antisemitic” and pledged to boycott the parade in protest.

Despite these challenges, the parade proceeded in 2024, but the contentious statement was later removed from Capital Pride’s website. Callie Metler, executive director of Capital Pride, explained that the removal was part of a routine update, asserting that the organization remained committed to its “principles and values.” Nevertheless, Q4P has actively campaigned for the reinstatement of the statement and for Capital Pride to reaffirm its support for Palestinian rights.

The planned route for the parade this year was intended to take participants along Elgin Street, past Parliament Hill, before concluding on Kent Street, near the Bank Street festival. While the parade was cancelled, the associated street festival is still set to continue until 20:00, creating some disruption to local traffic.

In 2024, the length of the parade route was reduced due to insufficient police presence, a situation that persisted into this year. Capital Pride expressed that they have been working to secure a route in front of Parliament Hill for several years, but did not clarify why the parade route was shorter than those in previous years.

As the community continues to grapple with the implications of these events, the vibrant atmosphere of the festival will remain as an important focal point for expression and celebration within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.