'Deepest apologies': Central Alberta rodeo organizers shocked by parade float
'Deepest apologies': Central Alberta rodeo organizers shocked by parade float
Organizers of a central Alberta rodeo and its parade committee are calling for calm after a float in this weekend's parade, which possessed a racist theme, was seen in the procession.
Both the Sundre Pro Rodeo and the parade committee said they did not approve the entry. The committee went on to suggest that it broke the rules.
"The entry was not approved and, upon further investigation, joined the parade without passing through any registration," the committee wrote in a statement that was posted on the Sundre Pro Rodeo's Facebook page.
Despite how the float got there, it has already drawn harsh criticism from community members.
Once again there is nothing surprising about this to any person of colour who lives in Alberta. https://t.co/BUWbdx8Uv7
The Dashmesh Cultural Centre, a centre of the Sikh community in Calgary, said it was "extremely disappointed and saddened" by the "display of racism."
"We need to have serious conversations and actions to stop these forms of racism. We welcome (Sundre pro rodeo organizers) and their parade committee to visit DCC and learn about Sikhs," it wrote on Twitter.
"We hope dialogue will help end these senseless displays of ignorance towards minorities."
Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal also called out the float as "shameful" while Jasraj Singh Hallan, the representative for Calgary Forest Lawn, shared similar sentiments.
The Sikh community in Canada, of which I am a proud member, has a wide diversity of political perspectives.
More importantly, Sikhs have been a steadfast force for good in Alberta and across the country.
This is absolutely disgusting. These kinds of acts have no place in Canada. This should be condemned in strongest terms by all. https://t.co/y9OZNcXbYI
— Jasraj Singh Hallan 🇨🇦 (@jasrajshallan) June 25, 2022
Calgary's mayor also took to social media to condemn the float.
After a Friday of having women’s rights knocked back 50 years, what can I possibly say about this? Many things. Nothing. You pick. I’m exhausted.
Yet, people like me keep going, we keep fighting & keep pushing for better.
Meanwhile, rodeo organizers and the parade committee have further apologized about the situation and pledged to ensure nothing like this happens any more.
"We do send our deepest apologies and something like that will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN," the rodeo said.
MLA Jason Nixon, representing Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, condemned the float, adding in a statement to CTV News that "discrimination and racism have no place" anywhere in Alberta.
"I have been assured by parade organizers, that this float was not approved, and that they are putting measures in place to ensure this does not happen in the future," Nixon added.
The town of Sundre is located approximately 92 kilometres northwest of Calgary.
An Amber Alert was issued for two-year-old Holdan Keewatin Sunday afternoon, after the Regina Police Service asked for public assistance in the search for the child.
The rapid growth of a long-burning forest fire in central Newfoundland has triggered a state of emergency in the area and the expansion of an outdoor fire ban to the entire province.
Air Canada denied a customer complaint and instructed employees to classify flight cancellations caused by staff shortages as a "safety" problem, which would exclude travellers from compensation under federal regulations. That policy remains in place.
Canada's summer of heat waves continues this weekend, with warnings issued in four provinces. CTVNews.ca looks at some of the heat records broken already this year in Canada.
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that if Russia proceeded with referendums in occupied areas of his country on joining Russia, there could be no talks with Ukraine or its international allies.
Over five decades in Washington, Joe Biden knew that the way to influence was to be in the room where it happens. But in the second year of his presidency, some of Biden's most striking, legacy-defining legislative victories came about by staying out of it.
A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants took effect late Sunday in a bid to end nearly three days of violence that killed dozens of Palestinians and disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israelis.
The Edmonton Police Service confirmed last week that crime is on the rise in 2022, and the city’s police chief pointed at methamphetamines as a contributing factor.
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
A B.C. man's lawsuit against Facebook – in which he is claiming $50 million in damages because the social media giant did not take down an "imposter page" – will be allowed to proceed, according to a court ruling.
One of the longest serving MLA’s currently in the New Brunswick legislature says he was the one to offer new Liberal leader Susan Holt his seat should she choose to run in a by-election before the next provincial election.
The rapid growth of a long-burning forest fire in central Newfoundland has triggered a state of emergency in the area and the expansion of an outdoor fire ban to the entire province.
According to police, Lucien Dubois was last seen leaving a residence on Boom Road in his vehicle Friday. He was later reported missing Sunday afternoon.
BC Ferries cancelled two sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland on Sunday because of a lack of crew, and several other sailings to and from Salt Spring Island were also cancelled.
The City of Toronto has extended the hours of seven city-run pools in an effort to help residents cool off amid heat warnings issued by Environment Canada.
Ontario's legislature is set to resume this week for the first time since the re-election of Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives, with politicians returning amid a health-care staffing crisis and skyrocketing inflation.
Abdulla Shaikh, the man suspected of killing three men at random in the Montreal-area last week, allegedly threatened employees while receiving treatment at a hospital for mental health issues.
Three boys out fishing in Kahnawake on the South Shore of the Saint Lawrence River spotted a seal on Sunday morning, more than 1,000 kilometres from its natural habitat.
A heat warning and a rainfall warning remain in effect for the city of Ottawa, with Environment Canada warning the capital could see up to 100 mm of rain by Monday night.
The price of gas has gone down by almost 40 cents in Ottawa since June. But it’s back up seven cents on Sunday and those who drive for a living are spending hundreds of dollars on fuel every week.
The aftermath of the Old Marina Restaurant fire, a storm that tore through Elora, and the continued decreased of real estate prices in Waterloo Region round out the top stories of the week.
An Amber Alert was issued for two-year-old Holdan Keewatin Sunday afternoon, after the Regina Police Service asked for public assistance in the search for the child.
While the peak of the Perseids meteor shower, one of the brightest of the year, may be next week, now may be the best time to see the astronomical event, according to The Weather Network.
Manitoulin Transport has been delivering, numerous skids of dry pet food and cleaning supplies to Ontario Wildlife Rescue Centres across the province at no charge since the beginning of the year.
The first week of Folklorama's return to in-person multicultural celebrations is wrapping up, with thousands of Winnipeggers visiting 12 pavilions across the city over the first seven days. Festival organizers say it couldn't have gone better.
An Amber Alert was issued for two-year-old Holdan Keewatin Sunday afternoon, after the Regina Police Service asked for public assistance in the search for the child.
