N.S. news: Premier skips Halifax Pride parade [Video]

HALIFAX –

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says his absence from this year’s Halifax Pride parade was the result of advice from the RCMP not to participate because of safety concerns.

In an emailed statement, the premier says he was not at the parade on Saturday “out of an abundance of caution” and that the decision to skip the event doesn’t diminish his support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Nova Scotia’s Liberal, NDP and Green parties each participated with a parade float, leaving the Progressive Conservatives as the only major political party not represented at the event.

“I have always said, no matter who you are, who you love or how you identify, there is a place for you in this province and you deserve to live without fear and intimidation,” Houston said Tuesday.