No pride for Air Canada

by Kaitlin | June 11, 2007 at 09:27 am

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Air Canada, homophobic? Not exactly. Canada's largest airline has just pulled sponsorship funding of Vancouver's pride parade (as well as Toronto's Pride Week and Montreal's pride events). The reason, however, is not because of politics...at least, not that particular set of politics. Instead, Air Canada says, they've pulled funding to put their focus on the Olympics.

Air Canada's funding of the parade made up approximately one-third of their operating budget. Without them, the parade's future is in jeopardy. The parade also faces the loss of other sponsors (including Ikea) over the next few months.

In April, Air Canada announced a multiyear sponsorship of the Olympics as an "official supporter," meaning it will contribute a total of between $15-million and $50-million, although the precise amount has not been disclosed.

Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah would not directly comment on the link between the Olympic sponsorship and the decision to stop contributing to Vancouver's gay pride parade . Ms. Mah said Air Canada is "disappointed" that the society has raised the matter in public.