Amid the University of Calgary being barred from marching in the Pride parade until next year, Mount Royal University (MRU) publicized that it will not only walk in the parade but also partner with Calgary Pride. 

In an email sent to students on Aug. 4, obtained by LWC, MRU announced that it has partnered with the parade’s organizers, Calgary Pride, and that both representatives from the institution and its students’ association will march on Sept. 6. 

The 2026 event marks the 14th year the university has done so, an act it described as a “tradition.” The email invited students to sign up to march in the parade and encouraged them to invite their friends and classmates to join, as well. 

“The Calgary Pride parade is more than just a celebration,” read the email.

“It is a powerful opportunity for our campus to come together with thousands of Calgarians to champion community, acceptance and a genuine sense of belonging.”

MRU’s announcement comes just a little under a month after UCalgary was asked not to march in the parade, citing the university’s treatment of protesters during an encampment that happened on its property in 2024. 

UCalgary’s response to the protest encampment is the reason

The decision, which was first reported by The Gauntlet on July 17, was later explained in a subsequent statement by Calgary Pride as the consequence of the university’s response to pro-Palestinian protesters having been “forcibly removed” from campus. 

Recent developments following the event included nine students suing the university, the city, and police in May. The lawsuit alleged that police used “unnecessary and unreasonable force” when removing protesters at the request of UCalgary.

Calgary Pride said that incidents such as this, coupled with active legal proceedings, affect the community at large and are considered when reviewing whether to approve or deny an institution’s participation.

The non-profit clarified that, by denying UCalgary, the school is not banned from the parade entirely and is permitted to reapply through the standard process for the 2027 rendition. 

Individual faculties, associations, and student groups can still participate by submitting their own application. Students and staff may also march independently, but must refrain from identifying themselves as part of the university and wearing the school’s logos. 

Calgary Pride welcomes applications from political parties

In the middle of the post-secondary debacle, Calgary Pride announced in late July that it would welcome political parties to participate in the activities running from Aug. 31 into the first week of September, including the parade. 

This year will be the first time since 2023 that they will be allowed to do so, as the organization explained that the original embargo was imposed due to concerns about the community’s feelings of safety and security.

Calgary Pride said its staff and board members were motivated to make the change to celebrate policymakers who support 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada.

Parties must submit a regular application but will be subject to review based on criteria such as whether they have attempted to advance the rights of marginalized communities in the past, either through advocacy or formal policy. 

“It’s a scary time to be a queer person, and we want to make sure we are celebrating and standing up for — and with — those who stand up for us when we need it most,” the statement quoted Riley Sogge, co-chair of Calgary Pride.

Applications will remain open until Monday, Aug. 17. More information about the submission process as well as the full criteria for political parties can be found on their website, calgarypride.ca.