Government investments to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities

Since 2016, the Government of Canada has committed over $250 million to advance rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This investment has spanned many federal initiatives from departments and agencies. Find out more about the Government’s investments in 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat (formerly LGBTQ2 Secretariat)

The 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat was created in 2017. It provides the federal government pathways to right historical and ongoing wrongs against 2SLGBTQI+ people. The Secretariat works with stakeholders across the country. This helps inform the Government on priorities for 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada and around the world. The Secretariat works across the federal government to help weave 2SLGBTQI+ matters into the Government of Canada’s everyday work.

Funding

2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund (formerly LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund)

The Community Capacity Fund aims to build the capacity of 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations and networks. This will advance equality across Canada. Capacity is built through activities such as improving how an organization makes decisions, manages money, collaborates, manages people, drives change, makes plans, learns, and builds its basic infrastructure.

Funding

2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund (formerly LGBTQ2 Projects Fund) 

The Projects Fund supports a range of projects. They address discriminatory policies and practices, enhance support for 2SLGBTQI+ people, and challenge harmful norms and attitudes.       

Funding

2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)

Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce will run the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program. It includes three main components: the Business Scale-Up program, the Ecosystem Fund, and the Knowledge Hub. Together, these components will provide critical business advice, create resources, provide mentorship, and collect the data needed to better understand 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs’ needs and challenges.

Funding

Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate (Canadian Heritage)

To confront hate in all its forms, investments in this action plan will support community outreach and law enforcement reform, tackle the rise in hate crimes, enhance community security, counter radicalization, and increase support for victims.         

Funding

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (Global Affairs Canada [GAC])

Funding supports projects that advance the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people around the world.

Funding

Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

Launched on August 28, 2022, the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan will advance rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.   

Funding

Global Equality Fund (GAC)

More funding was pledged to increase support for emergency assistance programs. These programs focus on protecting 2SLGBTQI+ people and civil society organizations.

Funding

Health Canada–funded projects focused on 2SLGBTQI+ populations

These projects are helping to improve sexual and reproductive health services. They are also helping to develop resources and tools to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities in getting the care and supports they need. To date, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund has provided $11.8 million to fund 2SLGBTQI+ projects across Canada.

Funding

LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program (GAC)

This program helps the country achieve the aims of its Feminist International Assistance Policy. It does so by promoting human rights and improving socioeconomic outcomes for 2SLGBTQI+ people in developing countries.

Funding

Preventing and Addressing Family Violence – the Health Perspective (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC])

Since the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan launched, PHAC has invested in projects to address issues including teen dating violence, healthy family relationships, and healthy behaviours among 2SLGBTQI+ groups.          

Funding

Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)

The Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership was created with the Rainbow Refugee Society. The partnership encourages more Canadians to support LGBTQI+ refugees. It also helps strengthen collaboration between 2SLGBTQI+ organizations and the refugee settlement community in Canada.        

Funding

Supporting Indigenous Women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations (Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada)  

This funding will support organizations in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. It will promote Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ voices and perspectives to effectively protect and empower Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people. These projects will make concrete and positive differences in 2SLGBTQI+ people’s lives by including their perspectives in policies, programs, and legislation that affect them.

Funding

Supporting the Mental Health of Those Most Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic (PHAC)

These projects carry out interventions such as building capacity to promote mental health in schools to build resilience for 2SLGBTQI+ youth; mobilizing community-based health leadership to address COVID-19’s mental health impacts; and addressing the mental health counselling needs of African, Caribbean, and Black 2SLGBTQI+ groups using a trauma-informed approach.

Funding

Various health research programs (Canadian Institutes of Health Research)

2SLGBTQI+ health research, knowledge mobilization, and training take place through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s many programs, including the Project Grant Program. This advances 2SLGBTQI+ health and health equity. 

Funding

Victims Fund, conversion therapy (Department of Justice Canada)    

The Victims Fund provides grants and contributions to support projects and activities that encourage developing new approaches, promote access to justice, improve service providers’ capacity, foster the creation of referral networks, and/or increase awareness of services available to victims of crime and their families.         

Funding

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