The Edmonton Pride Festival faced backlash from community groups over police involvement following a bomb threat. Organizers revealed they collaborated with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) due to security concerns, but some 2SLGBTQ+ groups boycotted the event, citing fears of racial profiling and historical police misconduct. The festival's executive producer, Trevor Watson, stated that while a credible threat was investigated, the decision to increase police presence was necessary for safety. However, communication failures led to misunderstandings, with some attendees feeling unwelcome. A mediation process is planned to address community concerns amid rising hate crimes against LGBTQ+ communities in Edmonton. EPS emphasized their legal authority to ensure public safety during large events, while organizers apologized for inadequate communication and pledged to improve transparency.