Justin Trudeau becomes first Canadian PM to march in Toronto Pride

Justin Trudeau has made history by marching with tens of thousands of people in Toronto's Gay Pride parade, becoming the country's first sitting prime minister to participate.

Thunderous applause greeted Trudeau as he paraded down a main Toronto artery on Sunday, waving a Canadian maple-leaf flag bordered with a rainbow.

The youthful politician, whose popularity is soaring, donned a salmon-coloured, button-down shirt and white jeans, taking selfies and shaking hands with those lining the parade route.

Proud. #PrideTO pic.twitter.com/syfEwPACRQ

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 3, 2016

The colourful procession observed a minute of silence to pay respect to the victims of the June 12 nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida that left 49 dead.

Watch as crowd/marchers honk and cheer just before the moment of silence at #TorontoPride for #OrlandoShooting pic.twitter.com/Gmi5qWj6XY

— Chris Glover (@chrisgloverCBC) July 3, 2016

The city tightened security, but kept the enhanced measures discreet to maintain a festive spirit.  Toronto police have not released an official attendance count, but organisers had expected one million attendees.

Trudeau also walked in the annual parade in 2015 as head of the Liberal Party, then the opposition leader facing former president Stephen Harper's conservative government.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne -- Canada's first openly gay head of a province -- and Toronto Mayor John Tory marched alongside Trudeau.

Sunny days and sunny ways at #PrideTO with PM @JustinTrudeau! pic.twitter.com/zhSKfbYrCf

— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) July 3, 2016

#PrideTO is about embracing all members of our communities. You can sit with us! pic.twitter.com/DbpsumkIED

— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) July 3, 2016

The three politicians attended an outdoor worship service on Sunday morning in the city's gay district.