People march in the 2024 Toronto Pride Parade.Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press
The organization behind Toronto’s Pride events says there won’t be any noticeable changes to this month’s programming despite a six-figure funding gap.
Pride Toronto’s executive director Kojo Modeste says the festival faces a $900,000 shortfall that is likely to impact programming next year.
Modeste says the funding gap was caused by corporate sponsors pulling their support and the rising costs of running the festival.
Three companies withdraw as sponsors of Toronto’s Pride festival amid DEI backlash
Modeste says some sponsors are not returning as American companies move away from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that have been under attack by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
Other Canadian sponsors, including Shopper’s Drug Mart and No Frills, have stepped up in the face of Pride Toronto’s financial woes.
Toronto’s Pride parade will take place on June 29.