Federal Government will be Investing $100 Million in the first-ever Action Plan for the 2SLGBTQI+ communities

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Government of Canada has taken years to build a better, more inclusive future for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse people.

Details in the Action Plan revealed that it will accomplish the following six things:

1. Prioritize and sustain 2SLGBTQI+ community action
2. Continue to advance and strengthen 2SLGBTQI+ rights at home and abroad
3. Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ resilience and resurgence
4. Engage everyone in Canada by fostering a more inclusive future
5. Strengthen 2SLGBTQI+ data and evidence-based policy making
6. Embed 2SLGBTQI+ issues in the work of the Government of Canada

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who was joined by Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth at the launch. Together, they launched Canada’s First Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan,” Building our future with Pride.” It was described as a whole-of-government approach to achieve a future where everyone in Canada is truly free to be who they are and love who they love.

The Action Plan will involve the investment of $100 million towards developing and implementing specific actions to help 2SLGBTQI+ people. Approximately $75 million will go towards 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations that advocate and serve BIPOC communities as well as those working with persons with disabilities, seniors, youth, official language minority communities, and those living in rural communities.

From the rest, $11.7 million will go towards a 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat which will be responsible for overseeing and implementing the Action Plan, $7.7 million towards data collection and community-led policy research to support the government actions to move these issues forward, and $5.6 million toward a public awareness campaign to erase stigma and remove discrimination of those who belong to this community.

The Action Plan involves the collaboration of diverse stakeholders consisting of community leaders, researchers, and organizations. It speaks to the concerns of diverse members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities across the country and uses an intersectional, holistic, and long-term approach to breaking down barriers and fighting the discrimination and oppression of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau notes, “Canada gets a little bit stronger every day that

we chose to embrace and to celebrate who we are, in all our uniqueness. We are a diverse nation enriched by the lives, experiences, and contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ people. Let us celebrate all the communities that make Canada such a diverse country, and work together to build a better future, with pride.”

Minister Ien states, “Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan is a historic collaboration effort that will help build a more inclusive country. Founded on the hard work of community members, organizations, and allies, this Action Plan will set an example for generations to follow. I can assure you that the work does not end here. We will continue to partner with 2SLGBTQI+ communities and leaders to make sure we’re building a Canada that serves everyone.”