1. Big ask from Pride groups: Pride Toronto, Fierté Montréal and Vancouver Pride went to Ottawa asking the federal government for $9 million over three years (about $3 million a year) to help pay artists and cover rising infrastructure and talent costs. They say current federal support is roughly $1.5 million for security only, and the new fund would be separate and shared among about 200 Pride festivals — organizers warn sponsor pullouts have left some events with big shortfalls (Pride Toronto flagged a $900,000 gap). This matters to everyday people because local businesses and volunteer-run small Prides rely on these events for income and safe community space, and festival reps (Kojo Modeste, Callie Metler, Julie Nobert-Demarchi, Hoang) say a federal response is still pending.