The North Bay Police Service would like to recognize this year’s North Bay PRIDE and wishes everyone celebrating a happy and safe Pride 2023.

The North Bay Police Service is joining with members of our community to mark the start of North Bay PRIDE 2023. We are proud that this important event occurs annually in our city to celebrate and commemorate the lives of members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and to advocate for and build safe spaces here in North Bay.

As police, we know that many members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community do not feel comfortable or safe interacting with law enforcement. We recognize the systemic and historical reasons for this distrust. It is our job as members of law enforcement to treat every individual who we serve with the dignity and respect they deserve as human beings. We commit to doing this and to doing our part in rebuilding this trust so that everyone in our community, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, creed, or ability, feels that they can turn to the North Bay Police Service when they need help.

In order to accomplish that goal, the North Bay Police Service continues to build strong relationships with community organizations including North Bay PRIDE, Outloud North Bay, and the North Bay AIDS Committee, to help educate us as police, while also providing opportunities for our members to have positive interactions with individuals who may not have previously felt comfortable around police. We appreciate the incredible work these organizations do for us and for countless members of our community here in North Bay. We hope to continue to strengthen these relationships into the future.

The North Bay Police Service is also aware of a number of incidents that have occurred over the last several years, which have targeted members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in North Bay and online. The North Bay Police Service will always stand against hate and will do everything in our power to protect the safety of every individual in our community while bringing perpetrators to justice.

Despite these incidents, we are hopeful that by working together we can all build a safer, happier, and more accepting community for everyone. Happy North Bay PRIDE 2023!

If you or someone you know has been a target of a hate-motivated incident or any other crime, please report it to the North Bay Police Service by calling 705-497-5555 and press 9 to speak with an officer. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.