Backgrounder -  Government of Canada Continues to Invest in LGBTQ2 Communities 

Women and Gender Equality Canada

A key priority for the Government of Canada is to strengthen diversity and inclusion so that everyone can participate fully as members of Canadian society.

The Government of Canada’s commitment to LGBTQ2 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit) persons is a key part of this priority. The Government is promoting equality for LGBTQ2 people in Canada, protecting LGBTQ2 rights, and addressing discrimination against LGBTQ2 communities, both past and current.

In December 2018, Status of Women Canada became Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) with an expanded mandate that includes the advancement of equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

Following the expansion of WAGE’s mandate, the government created the first-ever federal program specifically dedicated to advancing equality with respect to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The new Equality for Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Program will support LGBTQ2 organizations through the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund. This fund was created as a result of commitments made in Budget 2019.

LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund

Budget 2019 allocated $20 million in new funding to support the capacity-building and community-level work of Canadian LGBTQ2 organizations in Canada. Support will be directed to organizations working within LGBTQ2 communities whose initiatives contribute to strengthened LGBTQ2 communities and the advancement of equality for LGBTQ2 people in Canada.

These funds will be allocated over three fiscal years, from 2019 to 2022. In 2019-2020, $2 million is being allocated to build the initial infrastructure of existing or emerging national LGBTQ2 organizations by supporting targeted initiatives. It will allow funding agreement holders at the national level to help develop the capacity of local and regional organizations through funding, tools and other services. This will contribute to the readiness of a number of LGBTQ2 organizations (including assistance for organizations to become legally constituted) for a future call for proposals. This funding will also help national and local organizations work collectively to address equality issues.

Organizations with mandates to advance equality with respect to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are eligible to apply to the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund. Organizations that mainly or exclusively support specific LGBTQ2 people (for example, gay men, the trans community, LBTQ2 women), or that focus on communities of intersection between LGBTQ2 communities and other identity factors, are also eligible to apply for this funding.

Fierté Canada Pride

Project title: Capacity Building for Canadian Pride Organizations
Funding amount: Up to $250,000

Fierté Canada Pride will improve its ability to support and grow Pride organizations across the country, and develop a strategic plan to support Pride organizations. It will create a microgrant program and a suite of support services available to help small and medium-sized Pride organizations scale up and better support their regional communities.

Founded in 2004, Fierté Canada Pride is a non-profit national association powered by volunteers from across the country. Pride organizations from almost every region of Canada collaborate and network, helping to develop a national identity of Pride for over 1.2 million Canadians. Fierté Canada Pride is also member of InterPride, the international association of Pride organizations.