I just hope they are not going to drive their new quad through the parade, and actually walk it. It was embarrassing to see them using it in the crowded Fort George Park on Canada Day. Should be able to run from one end of the park to the other in less than a minute and yet two of them in the quad could barely get through all the people. It just wasn’t proper use of equipment and two officer’s.

This will also be the first year that BC Ambulance Service will be participating and supporting the community at the parade.

Times, they are a’changing. Nice to see and hard fought for, I can imagine.

“Should be able to run from one end of the park to the other in less than a minute”

Using the ruler on google earth shows Fort George park close to 600 metres wide. The World Record for a 500 metre dash is over a minute. I think you have a bright future in track and field ahead of you.
(sorry, I have some free time lol)

This sounds like a call to firefighters to get involved as well, it is about time. Kudos to RCMP for the community spirit, and the BCAS as well. Good work! Come on, PG Fire Rescue. Have some fun with the rest of the city.

What’s really nice to see is no gay bashing.

Way to go and step up, enjoy the day everyone :)

Not gay bashing … but … if a person or organization (like the firefighters) chooses NOT to participate they have the right and shouldn’t be castigated for that choice.

How about pride Scottish day.

Or better yet pride Anglo Saxon day, oh right that would be racist, sorry.

So how much is this costing the taxpayers ? Are they volunteers or are they getting paid to walk in the parade ? Are they on overtime ? Police are paid good money to police our community and should not be in any parade at taxpayer expense unless they are there for crowd or traffic control. What next……There are a couple guys in Highway Patrol that could go in the Santa Claus parade !

And here we go again…

JohnnyBelt says: And here we go again…
In response, I assume, to “pride Scottish”?
and: “how much is this costing taxpayers?

Is there something wrong with asking an honest question?

Is the non straight population really so sensitive that any questions about their very public festivities are perceived as “gay bashing”?
You mean the whole purpose of Gay Pride is to force everyone not involved to agree to an agenda, and most of all, to LIKE it?

metalman.

I am still confused as to why there is a parade? I couldn’t care less who is gay or if that makes them proud, but what exactly is the purpose for the parade? To let everyone know who is gay? Who really cares in this day and age who is gay and who isn’t? To bring awareness to the community there are gay people out there? Hello, we have known that for a very long time. It’s probably more annoying than anything else just for the fact that government/politicians/public organisations/etc are being called to participate in what is, essentially, a lifestyle celebration. How far would any of us get, getting those same institutions to participate in, say, a 100 mile diet parade, or a vegan parade. My point is, it seems odd anyone, except those who live the lifestyle, would feel the need to celebrate their lifestyle. I’m not proud they are gay, I couldn’t care less, so why would I participate in their parade? Go ahead, fill your boots and parade all you want and have a good time, but the truth be told, it only gets the attention it does from the people/organisations it does, because it is politically correct to do so. Poll each cop individual and see how many really don’t want to be there. You may be surprised. And it has nothing to do with homophobia or gay bashing, it is simply a choice.

So when is the hetro pride parade?

Pride is about being proud of who you are, whether you are gay, straight or somewhere in between. Pride is about standing up for yourself, even though society may not feel you belong.

“How much is this costing taxpayers?” Of course you are allowed to ask, but did you ask the same question about the remembrance day procession or the elks parade? The reality is that the parade is volunteer funded, and if the RCMP or any other employer pays their staff to be their – that is the RCMP perogative and has nothing to do with pride.

Seamutt: “Scottish” day is Robbie Burns Day
Loki: “Straight pride” – ever been to a bar on Halloween?
Weaksauce: “aren’t all parades kinda gay?” – if by ‘gay’ you mean featuring sex between to people of the same sex, then no. I don’t think are any parades that do that.
Jetstream: If the firefighters have a problem celebrating the rights of the community the protect, I would enoucrage them to watch this video: http://www.upworthy.com/boom-watch-an-angry-army-general-deliver-a-scathing-dressing-down-to-sexist-soldiers

No, you should never been forced to participate in these activities, but if you don’t truly believe that ALL people deserve equal protection under the law, you shouldn’t be in the protective services industry.

So Curmudgeonscurse, why is it such a big deal?

Because it’s fun and exciting and a great event. That’s why it’s a big deal! I would definitely encourage people to come downtown to see it. It is one of the larger (maybe largest?) parades in Prince George.

You can choose to ignore it if you’d like, but you’re not ignoring it, you’re raising a fuss. Obviously you’ve got a bone to pick or you would just let it be.

I personally take great PRIDE in the achievement of Prince George’s queer community. I think they’ve made PG welcoming and inclusive place, and generally a better place to be!

Usually, public service members do these events on a volunteer basis. That would apply to Pride, Remembrance Day, Cops for Cancer, anything like that.

They donate their time to support the community where they live and work!

From the RCMP’s own website, this showcases their willingness to connect and support diverse segments of our communities.

http://bc.cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=50&languageId=1&contentId=26444

Good on them!