Money for Gay Pride may have led to demotion: Tory MP

CTV NEWS:
A Conservative MP says federal funding for Toronto's Gay Pride parade may be responsible for junior cabinet minister Diane Ablonczy losing a key part of her portfolio. Brad Trost, the MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt, said Ablonczy's decision to use $400,000 for the popular parade that celebrates homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered culture was not supported by most of the Tory caucus. Trost told the anti-abortion website LifeSiteNews.com that the decision surprised the Conservative cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office. He said that responsibility for the Marquee Tourism Events Program, a $100 million initiative, has been given to another cabinet minister. Industry Minister Tony Clement has taken over the program, his office confirmed. Ablonczy, the MP for Calgary-Nose Hill, was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993. Toronto's Gay Pride Parade is one of the biggest in the world and of the city's top tourism draws. This year's even drew more than one million people.