Fort Erie among Niagara municipalities declining to fund Pride awards gala

A dispute over financial support for upcoming Pride festivities has caused a split between one organization and several regional municipalities in Niagara.

Pride Niagara is expressing concerns over the lack of participation from certain local governments. Justin Preston, an advocate against bullying, says while he is proud to be from Fort Erie, he is troubled by the disagreement between town officials and the organization involving funding for the events.

“It’s very conflicting when I’m seeing other towns participating, but why not Fort Erie?” Preston said. “It’s just heartbreaking that both sides aren’t able to sit down at a table, but I hope in the future all the towns will come and stand together.”

Pride Niagara says Fort Erie has joined a handful of other municipalities that declined to participate in this year’s events. The participation request included purchasing tickets to the annual Unity Awards, a gala honouring the LGBTQ+ community.

According to the organization, officials from St. Catharines, Grimsby, Pelham, Lincoln and West Lincoln have agreed to the buy-in. Welland has yet to respond, while Thorold, Niagara Falls, Wainfleet and Fort Erie have decided to opt out.

“It is a ticketed event. It’s $50 per person,” said Enzo De Divitiis of Pride Niagara. “So, the cost comes to about $500 a table for eight guests to come. It involves a full dinner and everything, which is not an unheard ask.”

De Divitiis says proceeds are intended to fund the operational costs of the awards show and other events that are free to the public. He says the organization is looking for more substantial support from municipal partners.

“We’re asking for more allyship than just being allowed to exist,” De Divitiis said.

Mayor Wayne Redekop spoke at the Fort Erie Town Centre today regarding the municipality’s decision, stating that the request for funding came with an ultimatum.

“There was a condition,” Redekop said. “They wouldn’t participate in the flag-raising here if we didn’t purchase a table of tickets to their annual awards event.”

Redekop noted that Pride Niagara has participated in many town events and commemorations in the past. He argued that the municipality already shows support by allowing organizations to use town facilities at reduced rates.

“It sets a precedent and other organizations, which are equally important to our community and do equally important work, and just as worthy, may want to do the same thing,” Redekop said. “We just don’t want to set that precedent.”

The mayor said he remains open to further talks with Pride Niagara and confirmed the town will still hold its own flag-raising ceremony on June 1.

Pride Niagara says its festivities are scheduled to kick off May 30, with the Unity Awards taking place on June 6.