Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard were among the honoured guests at Sunday’s Montreal Pride Parade.
Trudeau had previously marched in the pride parades in Toronto and Vancouver earlier this summer, becoming the first Canadian prime minister to attend such an event. His appearance comes as he is reportedly planning to offer a formal apology to the country's gay community for past state-sponsored discrimination.
Trudeau's government has already introduced transgender rights legislation in Parliament. He told reporters before the parade that there is still work to do in Canada to fight for equal protection for the country's LGBTQ community.
"The rights of the LGBT community are Canadians' rights and human rights," he said.
Proud to be the first Prime Minister to walk in #MTLPride! pic.twitter.com/S2gyPhHcpn
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 14, 2016
Bernard Genereux and Sylvie Boucher represented the Conservative Party of Canada at the parade.
A moment of silence was observed before the parade to honour the victims of a mass shooting in an Orlando, FL gay nightclub in June.
"We don't believe in any kind of violence based on gender, ethnicity, who you love or religion," said US Consul General for Montreal Nina Fite. "It's important to remember that and stand against the violence."
One celebrity wasn't able to make it in person but took to social media to wish those at the parade well.
The parade began at 1:00 p.m. on Rene Levesque Blvd at the corner of St-Mathieu and headed east to Sanguinet St.
Among the participants were150 floats and 6,000 marchers and organizers anticipated 300,000 spectators.
Next year, Pride is expected to get even bigger, expanding from seven days to 10.
Preparations well underway for today's Pride Parade and the sun is coming out! @CTVMontreal #fierteMTL #pride pic.twitter.com/Yn1xZrAYjn
— Angela MacKenzie (@angelamarjory) August 14, 2016
Even @ravensymone is here for the Pride Parade! #fierteMTL @CTVMontreal pic.twitter.com/XAAfl3pETt
— Angela MacKenzie (@angelamarjory) August 14, 2016
Trudeau has arrived at #fierteMTL @CTVMontreal pic.twitter.com/vMnBjIvSgG
— Angela MacKenzie (@angelamarjory) August 14, 2016
Ready to parade it up for #pridemontreal !!! pic.twitter.com/O50s0TToX3
— Paul Karwatsky (@PKarwatskyCTV) August 14, 2016
-With files from The Canadian Press