Question Period Note: Advancing LGBTQ2 Equality

What is the Government of Canada doing to advance equality for LGBTQ2 Canadians?

• The Government of Canada believes that promoting equality, protecting rights, and addressing discrimination against LGBTQ2 communities is important.
• Women and Gender Equality Canada is supporting LGBTQ2 organizations by investing $20 million for capacity-building, the first ever federal fund specifically dedicated to advancing LGBTQ2 equality.
• This investment will help LGBTQ2 organizations strengthen their operations, increase partnerships, share knowledge, and build stronger organizations to support LGBTQ2 communities across Canada and advance equality.

The Department for Women and Gender Equality continues to work closely with the LGBTQ2 Secretariat at Canadian Heritage on issues impacting LGBTQ2 communities.

WAGE also provides advice and support to other government departments in the development of policies and initiatives that reflect the needs and concerns of LGBTQ2 communities through Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+).

Budget 2019 provided $20 million over three years to enhance the capacity of LGBTQ2 organizations. To date, $2 million of this funding has been distributed to seven organizations through the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund:
o Fierté Canada Pride ($250,000)
o Conseil québécois LGBT ($249,963)
o Enchanté: a Network of 2SLGBTQ+ Centres of Canada ($700,000)
o Égale Canada Human Rights Trust ($399,884)
o Rainbow Refugee Society ($150,000)
o 2 Spirits in Motion Foundation ($200,000)
o Canadian Trans Network ($99,984)

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The remainder of the Budget 2019 grants and contributions funds are being distributed through a Call for Proposals which closed in May 2020. Through the Call for Proposals, WAGE has received over 260 applications from LGBTQ2 organizations across the country. The disbursement of these funds to successful applicant organizations is expected to begin in fall 2020.

In addition to funding, the Government of Canada took concrete actions to address existing inequalities, including:
o In 2017, the Prime Minister formally apologized to LGBTQ2 communities for the historical unjust treatment of LGBTQ2 federal public servants.
o In 2017, the Government of Canada amended the Canadian Human Rights Act to include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination.
o In 2016, section 159 (anal intercourse) was repealed from the Criminal Code, removing discriminatory provisions.

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