Mayor Clark to grand marshal Pride parade

Mayor Charlie Clark smiles minutes after being sworn in as mayor at Saskatoon City Hall on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016. (Stephen Kent/CTV Saskatoon)

Saskatoon’s Mayor Charlie Clark will become the first mayor ever to grand marshal the city’s Pride parade next month.

The first-term mayor told media Monday he accepted the role because he wants everyone to feel safe and comfortable in Saskatoon.

“Reconciliation, inclusion and diversity is one of the strategic priorities that I have taken on, and this is a great chance to tell a message to the world that’s who we are in Saskatoon,” Clark said. “We are a place where we want everybody to feel welcome.”

Pride parade started in Saskatoon 17 years ago.

Former mayor Don Atchison, who served in the mayor’s seat from 2003 to 2016, was asked to be part of the parade every year he was in office, but he never appeared at the event.

Festival organizers said they’re ecstatic Clark is making the festival a priority.

The Pride parade is set to take place June 24.