After the board of directors of Pride Toronto had recommended in October that uniformed police officers be allowed to apply to participate in this year’s parade, the membership narrowly rejected the recommendation 163-161, opting to extend the ban indefinitely.

Officers were first banned in 2017 over concerns of racial profiling and again last year over criticism the police service had not taken seriously the disappearance of several men, missing from the city’s gay village.

(Mark Blinch/Canadian Press)

Police Chief Mark Saunders says the service remains committed to working with Pride Toronto on improving relations with the LGBTQ community.

Mayor John Tory calls the vote ”deeply disappointing” and is not ”prepared to accept their decision” as final.

”Pride is still some time away.  So we will keep working at that.  Good faith on all sides is going to get this resolved.”