Ottawa’s annual Capital Pride Parade was called off on Sunday after pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the route on Wellington Street near Parliament Hill about 90 minutes into the march. Organisers announced the cancellation at 2:40 p.m., citing public-safety concerns and street-closure permits that expired at 4 p.m. The parade had started at 1 p.m. with 175 registered groups and more than 6,000 people expected to take part. The protest was led by Queers for Palestine – Ottawa, whose members sat in the roadway and unfurled banners reading “No Pride in Genocide.” In a statement, the group demanded that Capital Pride reaffirm solidarity with Palestinians and that elected officials—including Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who attended the parade—apologise for boycotting last year’s event after organisers condemned Hamas’s October 2023 attack but also denounced what they called genocide in Gaza. The activists said they would not move until their demands were addressed. Capital Pride said it had held several meetings with the protesters ahead of the festival but that efforts to negotiate on the day were rebuffed, making a mid-parade reroute impossible. Sutcliffe called the disruption “deeply regrettable,” adding that thousands were denied a chance to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ pride. Ottawa police maintained a visible presence but reported no arrests or injuries. Organisers have not yet said whether the parade will be rescheduled.