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Trudeau becomes first Canadian PM to take part in Toronto's Pride parade

July 04, 2016 11:04 IST

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made history as the country’s first sitting leader to march in a pride parade.

IMAGE: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participates at the annual Pride Festival parade. Photograph: Ian Willms/Getty Images

On Sunday, Trudeau stood at the head of the parade, rainbow flag in hand, as the crowd made its way through downtown Toronto.

A river of multi-coloured floats and marchers came to a halt on Yonge Street and stood in silence along with the masses of onlookers to remember the Florida shooting’s 49 victims, predominantly from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community.

Trudeau said the Florida tragedy is a reminder that “we can’t let hate go by.”

IMAGE: Trudeau met with participants at the parade and took selfies with them. Photograph: @AdamScotti/Twitter

“We have to speak up anytime there is intolerance or discrimination,” he said as the 36th annual parade kicked off.

The youthful politician, whose popularity is soaring, donned a salmon-coloured, button-down shirt and white jeans, taking selfies and shaking hands with those lining the parade route.

IMAGE: Trudeau was all smiles as he participated in the parade and said it was time to look beyond hate. Photograph: @AdamScotti/Twitter

This is not the first time the young prime minister is participating in the parade. Last year, he walked in the annual parade as head of the Liberal Party.

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