We’re dressed up. We’re ready. And we can’t wait for this particular weekend.

Metrolinx staff are all geared up to participate in the 2019 Pride Parade in Toronto this festival weekend (June 21-23), accompanied by the recently debuted ‘Ride With Pride’ GO Transit bus, which is wrapped in the colours of the rainbow.

Metrolinx is proud to be a part of Pride 2019, and are committed to making it easier for people to get around each day – even beyond this weekend – to ride with pride. We’re also dedicated to making sure that everyone who uses our system has a safe journey.

The diversity of our own workforce is also a major strength for our organization.

Toronto’s Pride Parade, to be held on Sunday, June 23, is traditionally one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world, and has even attracted higher numbers than in cities such as San Francisco.

Last year, more than 140 people representing Metrolinx, including CEO Phil Verster and other members of the senior management team, were on hand to walk the parade route and celebrate diversity in the workplace and on our vehicles.

We anticipate an even larger showing this year. GO Transit’s mascot, GO Bear, will also take part in the festivities.

Metrolinx is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community year-round internally and across the transit system.

“At Metrolinx our goal is that customers and employees know that commitment to inclusion starts at the top and is part of everything we are doing,” says Sandra Porteous, Director of Inclusion at Metrolinx.

Porteous says annual participation in Pride is just one part of the plan.

“Another more important step is our new unconscious bias training – that will roll out to employees this year,” she says.

Pride month is not just a celebration – it is a reminder that we need to continue to support diversity and inclusion. We use the month to remind each other to be open to the experiences of others and to engage in conversations about how we can be safe at work and out in the world.

Our participation in Pride festivities doesn’t stop at the Toronto Pride Parade either. Look out for Metrolinx at such events as Peel Pride in July, as well as Peterborough Pride in September.

We’re proud to have you all on board. Be sure to look out for our ‘Ride with Pride’ GO bus in the parade this weekend and throughout the year, and share on social media to show your pride.