Despite major sponsors pulling their support from this year’s Toronto Pride festivities, one advocate says that it might actually be a chance to put a new focus on Pride’s raison d’etre.

“The focus of Pride as an overall event must be … the people,” Nicki Ward, an advocate who’s worked on 2SLGBTQ+ housing and disability issues in Canada for over 25 years, told CBC Radio’s Day 6.

“Maybe it’s time for a little more authenticity. And if company XYZ doesn’t want to get involved, well then, too bad.”