Valrie Plante says Montreal vying for World Pride 2023

Speaking before the launch of the city's Pride parade downtown, Montreal MayorValrie Planteannounced the city would be bidding to host the 2023 edition of World Pride.

Plantealso said the city is in the midst of drafting a sexual diversity policy that she hopes will be ready by this time next year.

• Why does Montreal host pride events in August?

"It is something that has been asked for for a long time and that's what we're going toward," she said in a speech at a news conference before the parade Sunday.

Former mayor Denis Coderrehad promised such a policy at Pride last year. It's unclear if anyheadway was made since.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillardalso spoke at the news conference.

Trudeau received a standing ovation for his remarks, calling for a push toward more acceptance.

"Can we stop talking about tolerance?" he asked energetically. "We need to talk about acceptance; we need to talk about openness; we need to talk about friendship. We need to talk about love, not just tolerance."

Trudeau noted homeless youth are more likely to identify as LGBT, and that LGBTyouth are more likely to commit suicide.

"We still have an awful lot to do even progressive societies have some work to do," he said, adding that professional sports is an area where there is still stigma and discrimination and "challenges in terms of coming out and being proud of who we are and who you are."

Couillardsaid he may soon be on the campaign trail with "different coloured buses, but today we can all agree on one thing: it's that Quebecersare all equal."

The parade took place in a sea of colour and rainbow flags alongRen-LvesqueBoulevard.

Its grand marshals include Dany Turcotte ofRadio-Canada's popular talk show Tout lemondeenparle, Kennedy Olango, a Kenyangay rights activist, as well as Julie Lemieux, Canada's first known trans mayor forthe small Quebec village ofTrs-Saint-Redempteur.

Montreal's Pride festival itself lasted from Aug. 9 to 19, with several concerts and special appearances throughout, including by Milk & Bone, Princess Nokia and New Orleans's Big Freedia.