Former STM chairperson Philippe Schnobb to lead probe into Montreal Pride parade cancellation
The former chairperson of the STM board of directors will lead the independent investigation into the abrupt cancellation of the Montreal Pride parade last Sunday.
The mayor's office announced Friday that Philippe Schnobb will lead the probe "in order to ensure the success of future editions of the Pride Parade and to restore public confidence" in Fierté Montreal, the organization that puts on the festival.
Schnobb served on the STM board for eight years before leaving last December. He currently sits on the board of directors of Fondation Émergence, a Montreal-based non-profit organization that fights against homophobia and transphobia.
The Montreal Pride board of directors "confirmed" his nomination during a meeting Thursday evening, according to a news release from Mayor Valerie Plante's office.
In a shock and major upset to the community, the parade was cancelled Sunday hours before it was set to begin due to what organizers said was a lack of volunteers to ensure safety along the parade route.
"I thank the municipal administration and Montréal Pride for placing their trust in me. I undertake this mission with diligence and sensitivity. I have at heart the success of the next editions of this essential event for the community and the city of Montreal," Schnobb was quoted as saying in the release.
His inquiry will aim to "shed light on the chain of events and the governance structures that may have led to the cancellation of the parade." Recommendations will be sent to Fierté Montreal in the coming months.
Calling the situation last weekend a "fiasco" on CJAD 800, Plante said earlier this week that the city will redirect the remaining funds contracted to Fierte Montreal toward the independent investigation into why the festival's marquee event was cancelled on such short notice. About 10 per cent of the city's $600,000 commitment to the festival will support the probe. The festival also received about $1 million from the province.
"There is a trust link that needs to be re-established," the mayor said previously. "Let's be honest, what happened on Sunday had an impact on Montreal's reputation."
Fierté Montreal is conducting its own internal investigation into the incident.
Simon Gamache, who is less than a year into his new role as head of the festival, had previously told other news outlets that the organization "forgot" to hire the required paid volunteers to provide security along the parade route.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.