More Than One Million Expected at Pride Parade

There will be a lot of people there, but Toronto's mayor won't be one of them.

Downtown Toronto is expected to welcome more than one million revellers for Canada's biggest gay pride parade. However, Toronto's conservative mayor, Rob Ford, is not expected to partake in the festivities, choosing instead to spend the Canada Day long weekend at the cottage with his family. Ford is the first Toronto mayor in 16 years to opt out of attending the parade, which has disappointed many in Toronto's gay community. Former Toronto mayor Mel Lastman believes Ford should participate, noting that he had a "blast" at the parade when he led the city, even if he was "initially uncomfortable about attending."