Equality Matters newsletter: June 2026
Pride Season is a time for celebration, when communities and allies come together to honour the resilience, talent and contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada.
But for many 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Canada, safety and security are still not guaranteed.
While there has been progress, rising hate and discrimination, especially targeting gender identity and expression, remind us that there’s more work to do. Although hate crimes targeting sexual orientation declined by 26% in 2024, this happened after three years of increases, where these rates more than tripled.
With over 1.3 million Canadians identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, ensuring everyone can live safely and authentically isn’t just important...it’s essential. In this issue of Equality Matters, we’re taking a closer look at what’s being done, available support and resources, and organizations helping build a more inclusive and secure future for everyone.
There can be no equality and no prosperity without safety. Women and Gender Equality Canada, together with partners across the federal government, is working to advance safety, inclusion, and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Through sustained investments and community partnerships, these efforts are helping address barriers, combat hate, and strengthen the organizations across Canada leading this work on the ground.
This work includes:
- 610+ projects funded since 2018 to advance 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion.
- $250 million invested since 2016, including $100 million through the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan.
- $6.3 million to Fierté Canada Pride since 2023 to address security needs at Pride festivals across the country. This organization has distributed funding to more than 100 Pride organizations, most in small, rural, or remote communities.
- $12 million committed through Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate to address anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate and promote safer, more inclusive communities.
The federal government will continue to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities with an investment of $54.6 million over five years, with $10.9 million ongoing, starting in 2026-2027.
Apply for funding: Security needs at Pride festivals
Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) and delivered by Fierté Canada Pride, the Community Safety Fund supports 2SLGBTQI+ organizers facing increased safety costs due to rising hate. Grants are distributed to help make public events safer and more accessible through infrastructure, training, and personnel support. Applications for the 2026–2027 funding cycle are now open.
Build stronger workplaces with Unity
Creating an inclusive workplace is more than doing the right thing - it’s a smart business decision. It can help you attract top talent, retain employees, and build a strong reputation with customers and clients. WAGE’s Unity campaign offers practical tools to help you get started, including a tip sheet on hiring practices, a Pledge of Inclusion for businesses, and a quick-start checklist.
Making a difference
West Flat Citizens Group Inc.’s Prism Project provides support resources for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. An initiative led by Indigiqueer organizers in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the Prism Project uses arts-based and community-led approaches to promote equality, foster belonging, and challenge barriers faced by Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Pink Triangle Press’ Pink Paper on Health is the first national bilingual comparative study of 2SLGBTQI+ people’s experiences in Canadian healthcare. The findings revealed significant health disparities faced by 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada, highlighting major gaps in health outcomes, access to services, quality of care, and experiences of stigma and discrimination. It also offers recommendations to help make healthcare more inclusive.
Queertech is advancing 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion in the tech ecosystem, with a new report exploring barriers and opportunities to foster inclusive workplaces and promote 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion in the development and use of AI products and services.
It Gets Better Canada is supporting 2SLGBTQI+ youth facing online hate. Their Webby Award-nominated youth‑focused app, GLO, is helping young people across Canada build digital literacy, support their mental health, and gain tools to stay safe, informed, and connected online.
Supporting healing
The following video is only available in French with English captions.
“We’re walking together, hand in hand, moving forward and reconnecting.”
As we commemorate National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day in June, hear how mother and daughter, Nancy and Jolie-Anne, support each other through discovering their Anishinaabe history and Jolie-Anne's two spirit identity.
Did you know?
There are more than 100,000 2SLGBTQI+ owned businesses in Canada. They have generated more than $22 billion in economic activity and employ more than 435,000 people. Read how Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce is supporting and amplifying 2SLGBTQI+ businesses across the country.
In case you missed it
- NEW It’s Not Just videos: What to do when you witness gender-based violence and What does sexual consent really mean?
- International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia ministerial statement
- Launch of Pride Season ministerial statement
- Supplemental funding announcement news release
- Menstrual Hygiene Day ministerial statement
- Pride Season Flag Raising event