Goertzen breaks silence on Steinbach Pride, says he has prior commitment to family

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This article was published 28/06/2016 (3399 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach MLA and cabinet minister Kelvin Goertzen says he won’t attending his city’s inaugural Pride march because of “a previous personal commitment.”

Goertzen had let it be known he would not attend the July 9 event, but had refused to be interviewed about it.

After question period Tuesday, he said he had made a commitment to his family that day. He refused to elaborate.

“My family is going to have a significant priority in my life, and that is going to remain as private as it can possibly be within the context of being an elected official,” he said.

Asked if he would see himself attending a future Steinbach Pride March, he said that was a hypothetical question.

Goertzen said he believes the community will be respectful of the march, which is expected to see a large contingent from Winnipeg attend.

“I think it’s going to be a safe event. And I think that everybody is going to leave the event believing that it was respectful and safe. That’s my expectation based on what I know of the community,” he said.

On Monday, Scott Kolody, the new commanding officer of the RCMP in Manitoba, announced he planned to go to the Steinbach Pride March. However, the city’s mayor, MLA and Member of Parliament have all said they will not attend.

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Meanwhile, Goertzen said he would be prepared to meet with those associated with the event to discuss their concerns: “I would never rule out dialogue and discussion.”

— Larry Kusch