N.S. premier defends his absence from Pride parade [Video]

HALIFAX –

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston on Thursday defended his absence from this year’s Halifax Pride parade, saying he didn’t attend because police feared he’d be a lightning rod for protesters.

The premier issued a written statement earlier this week indicating he didn’t march Saturday because the RCMP had warned there were safety concerns.

Asked to elaborate after Thursday’s cabinet meetings, Houston said if the parade had been stopped because of his presence, “you can imagine how that might unfold in a highly sensitized environment,” adding that he had feared some in the crowd might have become frustrated and upset.

He didn’t specify which protesters would have forced the parade to be halted, but he noted that other parades in Canada have been interrupted.

During the Toronto Pride parade in June, pro-Palestinian protesters caused the event to be cut short when they blocked the parade route, with some holding banners that …