Montréal Pride will organize the first edition of Canada Pride from August 11 to 20, 2017, as a nation-wide celebration of Canada’s LGBT movement, reaffirming the position of Montréal and of Canada as leaders in LGBT human rights. Montréal Pride, the largest Pride festival in the Francophone world, will host the festive and inspiring ten-day event to welcome Canada and the world to Montréal as it marks the 375^th anniversary of the city’s founding and the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.

"Canada’s different Pride organizations are all part of a powerful movement, serving as examples to the world in the struggle for LGBT human rights," said Eric Pineault, President of Montréal Pride. "These important milestones for Montréal and for Canada in 2017 offer a unique opportunity to showcase the culture and values of our city and our country, while offering visitors a major high-quality event with something for everyone."

Unlike Montréal Pride’s annual festival, which is held over seven days, the Canada Pride program of events in 2017 will span about ten days, including two full weekends of activities, similar to WorldPride and EuroPride. The program will include two days of sports activities during the first weekend of celebrations and a major international conference on LGBT human rights.

According to Tourisme Montréal, Canada Pride will offer an exceptional new showcase for Montréal’s diversity and attractions. "In 2017, Montréal will be alive with celebrations throughout the city and Canada Pride will be a festive addition to the line-up of events," said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. "For over two decades, we have been working closely with our city’s vibrant LGBT community to market Montréal as a premiere destination for LGBT travellers. Tourisme Montréal is delighted to support Canada Pride, which is certain to attract visitors from across the country and around the world to discover – or rediscover – Montréal’s legendary hospitality and joie de vivre."

An initiative of Montréal Pride, Canada Pride will be held in a different Canadian city every four years. The project presented by Montréal Pride received unanimous support from all representatives of Canadian Prides at the annual general meeting of Fierté Canada Pride, which was held in February in Saskatoon.

"The idea of a national Pride Festival is brilliant. This is an opportunity to showcase our Canadian Pride movement to all Canadians and the world as well as bring attention to our achievements as a nation. The energy and excitement in support of this first of a kind event at our recent annual general meeting was palpable," said Wilbur Turner, president of Fierté Canada Pride. "We are confident the team at Montréal Pride will make us all very proud."

Founded in 2007 as an initiative of Montréal’s LGBT communities, Montréal Pride is now the largest LGBT gathering in the Francophone world. The organization’s primary mission is to support and promote local LGBT communities while serving as a beacon of hope for LGBT communities around the world who continue to battle injustice. Each year, Montréal Pride attracts close to 400,000 local and international visitors during a week of cultural and community activities, including the Pride Parade and Community Day. In 2015, the Montréal Pride festival will be held from August 10 to 16. More information about Montréal Pride is available on the Montréal Pride website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@fierteMTLpride).

Fierté Canada Pride, which was founded in 2004, is a non-profit national association of Canadian Pride organizations. Powered by volunteers from across the country, Fierté Canada Pride's membership is made up of Pride organizations from almost every region of Canada. Fierté Canada Pride's mission is to help build vibrant and strong Canadian Pride organizations through collaborating, offering support, networking, helping to develop a national identity of Pride, and offering resources and advocacy for its members. FCP is an advocate for over 1.2 million Canadians who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ). Fierté Canada Pride is also a proud member of InterPride, the international association of Pride organizations.

Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership with regard to the concerted hospitality and promotion efforts aimed at positioning Montréal in leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with changing market conditions.