QUESTION PERIOD — Canadian Heritage
LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund
February 10, 2022
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Last week, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced that funding would be extended for the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund and granted to two specific LGBTQ2 projects. Obviously, I applaud this announcement, which will help many LGBTQ2+ organizations in Canada continue their activities.
This fund is especially important for organizations working in rural regions. For example, Rendez-vous de la fierté Acadie Love, an organization on the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, is doing outstanding work. Thanks to this fund, this organization recently contributed to the creation of a new francophone provincial group: Alter Acadie NB, the New Brunswick association of queer francophones, which focuses on LGBTQ2+ issues.
That being said, I am very concerned about the fact that the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund was extended for only one year for $7.5 million, which is approximately the same amount as in previous years.
How does the federal government assess the growing financial needs of the LGBTQ2+ organizations that are eligible for this fund? How does it plan to ensure that they receive ongoing financial assistance?
I thank the honourable senator for the question.
LGBTQ2+ organizations are essential in Canada’s communities and are a lifeline for Canadians. They need our support to keep their doors open and to continue to develop. That is why the funding for the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund is being extended for another year. This funding will enable organizations to build stronger infrastructure to advance LGBTQ2+ equality across Canada.
I’m sorry to say I don’t have any details on how the eligibility criteria for the fund are assessed. I will find out from the government and get back to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for the answer.
LGBTQ2+ organizations need to do long-term planning. Funding for just one year is rather problematic. I would like to know if this LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund can be accessed by new LGBTQ2+ organizations, such as the one recently created in my province. If not, what will the government do to support these organizations, and when will it do it?
Thank you for your question, senator.
The government recognizes that organizations across the country urgently need support to provide vital community resources. The government intends to uphold its commitments.
I would add that, in the past, I have had a great deal of experience and involvement with not-for-profit organizations. I saw that stable and predictable funding is important. That said, I must point out that the government invested $7.1 million in the 2021 budget to support the work of the LGBTQ2+ Secretariat and $15 million for projects in these communities.
As for the funding, I will endeavour to follow up on the previous question.
