Fall 2024: Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan Second Anniversary
Canada is making progress on the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. It is integrating sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression into programs, laws, and policies. This will help build a country that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Moving forward, with Pride
No matter who you are or who you love, you should have every opportunity to succeed in Canada. The Government of Canada works to improve equality for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender-diverse (2SLGBTQI+) communities. Launched on August 28, 2022, the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan intends to create a more equitable Canada for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, for present and future generations.
Advancing rights and equality
Did you know?
Initiatives within the Action Plan will help advance rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This work will continue in collaboration with 2SLGBTQI+ communities and partners.
Some key federal 2SLGBTQI+ milestones
- 1982 – Canada adopts the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- 1995 – The Supreme Court rules that “equality” Charter rights extend to sexual orientation.
- 2017 – The Canadian Human Rights Act protects gender identity and gender expression.
- 2017 – The Prime Minister apologizes to LGBT Purge survivors and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
- 2018 – Eligible people can have some unjust offenses removed from their record.
- 2019 – The Government of Canada announces programs to advance 2SLGBTQI+ rights. These include the Feminist International Assistance Policy and the Community Capacity Fund.
- 2022 – Canada criminalizes conversion therapy practices through Bill C-4.
- 2022 – The Government of Canada launches the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan to improve 2SLGBTQI+ equality.
Investing in 2SLGBTQI+ rights
Did you know?
Since 2016 Canada has invested over $250 million to improve 2SLGBTQI+ rights and equality.
Up to now
The Government of Canada is addressing inequalities faced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Highlights include:
- Adopting the 2SLGBTQI+ acronym. The “2S” at the front recognizes Two-Spirit people as the first 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
- Providing $100 million over five years. It includes up to $75 million for approximately 130 projects and capacity building initiatives.
- Removing unjust offences from one's record. The Expungement of Historically Unjust Convictions Act was updated to include more offences.
- Forming a partnership with Rainbow Railroad. Canada supports LGBTQI+ refugees who may continue to face persecution at home.
- Funding nationwide projects. The focus is on improving sexual and reproductive health services for 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
- Providing emergency resources to help cover security costs at Pride events.
On the way
The Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan advances six priority areas:
- Prioritizing and sustaining 2SLGBTQI+ community action.
- Continuing to advance and strengthen 2SLGBTQI+ rights at home and abroad.
- Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ resilience and resurgence.
- Engaging everyone in Canada in fostering a 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive future.
- Strengthening 2SLGBTQI+ data and evidence-based policy making.
- Embedding 2SLGBTQI+ issues in the work of the Government of Canada.
The Government of Canada is:
- Launching an anti-stigma 2SLGBTQI+ awareness campaign. It aims to enhance inclusion and break down stigma and discrimination across Canada.
- Establishing a research plan. This will include new national data collection and community-led research. It will also include research on the feasibility of collecting data on intersex people. This research will help inform 2SLGBTQI+ policy making and guide future community actions.
- Working to create a new designated employment equity group for 2SLGBTQI+ people. This is part of the Government of Canada update to the Employment Equity Act.
- Increasing support to confront hate in all its forms. This includes enhancing community security, and countering radicalization.
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