Thousands of people are anticipated to gather in downtown Ottawa today for the Capital Pride Parade. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Ottawa City Hall and proceed along Elgin Street, Gladstone Avenue, and Kent Street. The final destination will be the intersection of Kent Street and Laurier Avenue.
The Grand Marshal for this year’s Pride Parade is Fae Johnstone, who aims to emphasize the enduring struggle for equality within the queer and trans community. The Ten Oaks Project is the honored group for this year’s event. The theme of the parade is “Get Proud,” encouraging everyone to celebrate together with even greater enthusiasm.
The Capital Pride Parade in Ottawa will feature over 200 groups and more than 10,000 marchers. It follows a specific route, starting from Ottawa City Hall at 1 p.m., moving south on Elgin Street, then west on Gladstone Avenue, and finally north on Kent Street to Laurier Avenue.
To accommodate the parade, several road closures will be in effect throughout downtown Ottawa. Bank Street, Somerset Street, and Gloucester Street will be closed all day. Additionally, Laurier Avenue West will be closed between Nicholas Street and Elgin Street from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Elgin Street, Gladstone Avenue, Kent Street, and a portion of Laurier Avenue West will also be closed during specific hours.
OC Transpo, the public transit service, will maintain regular service during the weekend. However, some bus routes will be detoured due to road closures. Routes 6, 7, and 11 will be affected between Slater Street and Gladstone Avenue all day, while routes 5, 6, 7, 11, and 14 will be detoured from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the parade.
Ottawa police have announced an increased presence during the Capital Pride events. The police, in conjunction with the Pride organizing committee, have developed a plan to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants and residents. There will be an integrated command team overseeing the parade, with officers stationed along the route to provide security and support.
The Capital Pride Parade in Ottawa promises to be an inclusive and vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.