Calgary Stampede banned from 2024 Pride parade ‘for the foreseeable future’

The Calgary Stampede has been banned from participating in this year’s Pride parade because of the decades of abuse some of its members experienced at the hands of a former performance school staffer.

Philip Heerema pleaded guilty partway through his trial in 2018 to eight charges, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, luring and making child pornography while he was at the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts.

The six victims were male students ages 15 to 17 who were at the school between 1992 and 2013. Heerema admitted to using his position to lure and groom the boys into sexual relationships.

The school, operated by the Calgary Stampede Foundation, puts on nightly grandstand shows during the Stampede.

Heerema had been granted day parole earlier this year and was scheduled to return to Calgary. He admitted at his hearing there are other victims who didn’t come forward.

“We were made aware by individuals in our community of the abuse they experienced as youth with The Young

Canadians and how their participation in the parade negatively impacted them,” said Anna Kinderwater, communications manager with Calgary Pride.

“After an investigation spanning several months, we provided ample notice to Calgary Stampede declining their involvement in our parade for the foreseeable future, with accompanying suggestions for change and repair to improve their standing with us and the community.”

Kinderwater said the ban isn’t necessarily permanent. During discussions, she said, it was determined the survivors need to feel empowered to come forward and receive apologies and reparations.

“It’s imperative for Calgary Stampede to publicly recognize the steps taken to address these concerns and ensure community safety for the future,” Kinderwater said.

That could include supporting initiatives for survivors of sexual violence to rebuild trust and ensure inclusivity.

“We invite the Calgary Stampede to engage in constructive dialogue and demonstrate their commitment to becoming stronger allies to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” Kinderwater said.

“We value their involvement in the Calgary Pride parade and remain hopeful for meaningful progress.”