Premier Doug Ford marched alongside police in the York Region Pride parade Saturday — surprising organizers of the event.

“York Pride was not aware Mr. Ford was attending or marching in our parade today,” they said in a statement to the Star. “We found out that the premier was attending from news agencies calling York Pride for statements.”

York Pride said Ford arrived moments before the parade started. The premier tweeted that he was “thrilled” to attend the parade with health minister and Newmarket-Aurora MPP Christine Elliott, attorney general and York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney, and King-Vaughan MPP Stephen Lecce.

“It was an honour to march alongside our (York Regional Police) men and women to celebrate inclusion and equality,” Ford wrote.

The Pride march organizers also said that they strive to have a family-friendly parade with no political agenda.

“York Pride celebrate with those who share our values of inclusivity, kindness, and respect for all.”

Ford’s involvement in the Newmarket event comes after he said last week that he would participate in some Pride month events.

But the premier has said he won’t go to the Toronto Pride parade next weekend because of a decision to prevent uniformed police officers from marching in it.

Uniformed officers were first banned from that parade in 2017 over concerns of racial profiling.

“If he hasn’t done so already, I wish that Doug Ford looks to educate himself on the differences in the history and relationships of each police service’s respective community,” said Tristan Coolman, president of York Region’s chapter of Pflag, a community charity.

“We hope (Ford’s) appearance means that he’s listening to parents about what they’re saying about the sex-ed currciulum, and what everyone today wants to see in our education system, our teachers, and everyone involved today.”

“We would want to see his support on sexual health,” said Vibhuti Mehra, executive director of the AIDS Committee of York Region, a founding partner of York Pride.

“Because if that was the reason why he was there, to express solidarity with the LGBT community, we would like to see that manifested in how he is approaching the whole issue of sexual education, and that schools remain inclusive in the curriculum they’re teaching to students.”

Ford has also said he has no problem going to Pride events and that they are a great boost to the economy.

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With files from Kate Allen

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