From Women and Gender Equality Canada
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 27, 2023 /CNW/ -Members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Canada continue to face discrimination, violence, and injustice, solely because of their identities. Investing in 2SLGBTQI+ communities and their supporting organizations is crucial to ensuring equal participation in social, economic, and political life without discrimination.
On the first anniversary of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced funding of up to $1.9 million for seven 2SLGBTQI+ organizations in the Ottawa region through the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund. This announcement builds on previous initiatives under the title “Building our future, with pride,” as part of the holistic approach of the Action Plan.
Since the launch of the Action Plan, the Government of Canada has actively worked towards advancing rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in Canada. Some highlights of this year’s accomplishments include:
- Continuing investments in 2SLGBTQI+ organizations through the Projects Fund and Community Capacity Fund, as part of the $100 million commitment outlined in the Action Plan.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s announcement of the Government of Canada’s partnership with Rainbow Railroad to protect and welcome 2SLGBTQI+ refugees.
- Providing $1.5 million in emergency support to Pride organizations amidst a surge in hate across Canada.
- Investing $25 million to establish the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program.
- Expunging historically unjust convictions targeting LGBTQI+ people.
- Improving access to sexual and reproductive health services for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ communities through the Sexual Reproductive Health Fund.
- In fall 2023, the Government of Canada will initiate a research implementation plan (up to $7.7 million) to support new community-led research and data collection for future 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives.
The work continues with collaborative efforts between the Government of Canada and 2SLGBTQI+ communities, organizations, and individuals.
Amidst the persistence of discriminatory and hate speech, the Government of Canada aims to educate Canadians about the importance of celebrating differences to foster understanding of 2SLGBTQI+ communities and their issues.
Quotes
“Exactly one year ago, we launched the first-ever Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan – an all-of-government commitment to never back down from supporting 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians. We are seeing the continued rise in homophobic and transphobic rhetoric that far too often has real world sequences, which is why our government will continue to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities, while continuing to directly invest in grassroots organizations. We have accomplished a significant amount of work over the last year, but there is still much more work to be done.”
The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
“This support for 2SLGBTQI+ communities in the Ottawa region is a tangible achievement of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. These community organizations play a key role in amplifying marginalized voices and provide safe spaces. By working directly with local communities, they can create systemic change. Our government will always support 2SLGBTQI+ communities and organizations that are striving to make things better and build a more inclusive Canada.”
The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier
Quick facts
- In 2021, 423 hate crimes targeting a sexual orientation were recorded in Canada. This exceeded the total of 265 hate crimes in 2019. Among these crimes, nearly 8 in 10 (77%) specifically targeted gay and lesbian individuals, while the remaining crimes targeted the bisexual population (2%) and people with non-heterosexual sexual orientations, such as asexual and pansexual individuals (11%).?(Statistics Canada, The Daily — Police-reported hate crime, 2021 [statcan.gc.ca], released March 22, 2023)
- In 2019, 7 in 10 youth aged 15 to 17 years reported experiencing bullying in the preceding year. Sexually and gender diverse youth, including transgender, non-binary, and/or same-gender attracted individuals, faced increased risks of teasing, insults, and exclusion compared to cisgender youth attracted exclusively to a different gender. (Statistics Canada, The Daily Study: Bullying victimization among sexually and gender diverse youth in Canada, 2022 [statcan.gc.ca], released October 18, 2023).
- Budget 2022 allocated $100 million over five years to support the development and implementation of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan for the benefit of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. This investment includes:
- Up to $75 million for 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations that serve and advocate for their communities:
- Up to $40 million in new capacity-building support, prioritizing funding for 2SLGBTQI+ communities facing additional marginalization, such as Black, racialized, and Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities, as well as 2SLGBTQI+ people with disabilities, seniors, youth, official language minority community members, and residents of rural communities. This is the focus of today’s announcement.
- Up to $35 million in new project-focused support to address specific barriers to 2SLGBTQI+ equality.
- $11.7 million for the 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat to oversee and implement the Action Plan
- $7.7 million for data collection and community-led policy research to support federal action on 2SLGBTQI+ issues.
- $5.6 million to develop and implement awareness campaigns focused on breaking down stigma and ending discrimination for 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians.
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For further information: Johise Namwira, Press Secretary and Issues Manager, Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, 873-353-0985, [email protected]; Media Relations, Women and Gender Equality Canada, 819-420-6530, [email protected]
