Fredericton Pride cancels festival, board cites ‘harassment’

​One of New Brunswick's largest Pride festivals has been cancelled just hours before events were scheduled to start, but there is still a chance the Fredericton Pride festival could proceed with a different host organization.

Fredericton Pride announced its decision to cancel the two-week festival through social media posts late Thursday night, citing "harassment board members have received."

"In order to ensure our own safety, that of our performers, and our volunteers … Fredericton Pride has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2024 festival."

Board chair Jenna Lyn Albert confirmed the cancellation to CBC News but declined an interview. At least some board members are also resigning, according to the post.

The announcement comes after organizers abruptly cancelled a fundraiser drag show, Silver Linings, at the Monarch Night Club, Wednesday "due to unexpected safety concerns."

The board's decision to name Fredericton Palestine Solidarity as the grand marshal of the Pride parade, which was scheduled for July 21, also sparked controversy in recent weeks.

Transgender rights group offers to step in

On Friday, the New Brunswick Coalition for Transgender Rights offered in a social media post its resources and support "to ensure we still get to have a Pride Festival & march this year."

Officials could not immediately be reached for comment, but according to the post, members plan to contact Fredericton Pride about forming an interim Pride committee.

The festival kickoff, a flag-raising ceremony at city hall at noon, proceeded as scheduled.

"The City of Fredericton is committed to being an inclusive city where everyone feels valued, respected, safe, included, and where all members have equitable access to opportunities, resources, and services," the city said in a social media post. "In that spirit, the City will move ahead with our scheduled flag raising."

At least one venue, Monarch Night Club, has indicated on Facebook that its events will proceed.

"Pride continues at Monarch in the spirit that it always has; As a party and a protest," the post said.

CBC News has asked the City of Fredericton about the status of the events it has co sponsored.