Prime Minister Heather Stephenson was among the leaders who spoke at the Pride Rally 2022 outside the Manitoba legislature on Sunday. However, Pride Winnipeg says after her speech, the prime minister left the event and did not walk in the parade. Barry Karlenzig, president of Pride Winnipeg, said the agency was pursuing a policy that expects all rally speakers to walk in the parade – something the prime minister’s office has confirmed three times. “Not only did she return to her board of directors, but also our 2SLGBTQ + community. We will not allow this to happen again,” Karlenzig told a news conference. Pride Winnipeg apologized to the Prime Minister for what she called “a great lack of respect for our community”. “Pride Winnipeg will not allow the current government to use the annual Pride Rally as a photoshoot or take up space at our community events without walking beside us to truly show the full support of our community,” the organization said in a statement. The prime minister apologized on Thursday for not being on the march, saying she did not realize there was a requirement to be in the parade. “I was never told it was a requirement to speak at the rally. I would never want to respect anyone out there and I sincerely regret it,” Stephenson told reporters on Thursday. She said she missed the parade due to a clash of planning and poor communication between her staff and Pride organizers. A spokesman for the prime minister’s office told CTV News that Stephenson had attended two other events that day – the “LOVE YOU Run for Women” event from 7:45 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. and a community event at the Maples Community Center hosted by the Maples Seniors Indo-Canadian Society from noon to 2 p.m. The rally was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with the parade starting at 11 a.m. Stephenson said she did not want to attend part of the parade and leave early as she thought it would be disrespectful. “I participated in the rally – I did and I did because I sincerely support the LGBTQ +’s spirit community,” he said. “I apologize to all the people of Manitoba. I apologize to those who were offended as a result. I think it was the wrong communication. I want to make sure we try to rebuild this relationship.” Stefanson said her office had contacted Pride Winnipeg and would meet with the agency to resolve the issue. However, Pride Winnipeg said it would not invite the prime minister to speak at any of the 2023 Pride events, including the rally.