Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he will not be going to the city's Pride Parade for the second straight year because of an annual gathering at his family's cottage.
Ford told reporters on Wednesday that he will be at the family cottage on the Canada Day weekend, but that he may attend other Pride events, according to City News.
“I’m not attending Pride,” Ford told the Toronto Sun. ”It is on Canada Day, I’m going up to the cottage with my family like I’ve done for as far as I can remember.”
Ford drew an avalanche of criticism last year for missing Pride. He was the first mayor since the megacity to skip the parade.
Ford is saying no again this year despite receiving a formal invitation from event organizers. Toronto's mayor also received an invitation from the only openly gay member of council, Kristyn Wong-Tam, to attend a Pride reception with a "respectful and representative group," according to the Toronto Star.
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