Organizers of an east-end Easter parade are breaking tradition, asking Toronto politicians to stay away from the event this year.
With the municipal election just six months away, elected officials and mayoral candidates are not invited to the April 20 parade. The Toronto Beaches Lions Club organizers said they want to keep the focus on the event, rather than election campaigning.
Parade director Keith Begley said the Lions Club is not affiliated with any political parties, and traditionally invites all politicians who represent local ridings. This year, however, politicians have been asked not to attend.
Begley told CP24 that a representative from the mayor's office, as well as representatives of other mayoral candidates, contacted organizers last week to inquire about a spot in the parade, but all were denied.
A memo was sent to local leaders and candidates declaring the parade a "political-free zone." The memo said that elected officials had refused to follow "parade regulations and directives,” pushing their political views at past events.
"Accordingly, we will not be extending invitations to any elected officials or politicians, nor will we accept any applications from them. It is our hope that this decision will lead to a better and more family-oriented parade," Begley wrote in the memo.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford told reporters he understood the decision, but never received formal notice that he was not to attend. He'd already bought 10,000 chocolate eggs to hand out at the event.
"They don’t want to turn it political and I understand that. It's a service club, it's for the kids and I respect their decision," Ford said, as he hauled boxes of Easter eggs into his City Hall office.
The ban also applies to neighbourhood groups and lobbyists looking to make a political statement.
The parade begins at 2 p.m. and runs for approximately two hours. It starts on Queen Street at Munro Park and heads west, ending at Queen and Woodbine Avenue.
Organizers expect about 50,000 people to attend.
