QUESTION PERIOD — Women and Gender Equality
Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan
October 20, 2026
My question is also for the Government Representative in the Senate.
I recently met with a number of individuals involved with St. John’s Pride, which supports 2SLGBTQI+ people in St. John’s and throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. They were here in Ottawa as part of a national coalition of 2SLGBTQI+ organizations. They wanted to discuss with me the renewal and expansion of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan through Budget 2026.
Since the action plan was launched, the world has changed, and hate-motivated violence, stigma and discrimination are on the rise for 2SLGBTQI+ people. In my province, the funding has provided huge value and has assisted in providing provincial equity across Newfoundland and Labrador.
In my opinion, this is a serious human rights issue, and a renewed and expanded action plan is an opportunity for the government to make Canada a leader in human rights on the global stage.
Would the government leader be able to tell us today where the government stands on the renewal of the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan?
Thank you for the question. As a matter of fact, this is a very important issue. You probably know, senator, that the government is committed to advancing equality and supporting 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada.
Since its inception in 2022, the government — through its action plan — has invested in over 100 projects to build capacity for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations and networks to advance equality for their community through the Community Capacity Fund. We have funded 19 projects to advance equality for Indigenous people, launched the unity awareness campaign to help people in Canada actively address stigma against queer Canadians, hired a dedicated senior advisor on 2SLGBTQI+ and implemented a research strategy to strengthen the evidence-based approach in 2SLGBTQI+ priority areas.
The government is committed —
Thank you, Senator Moreau.
Leader, the present federal action plan expires on March 31, 2027. Time is of the essence.
The renewed and expanded action plan is an opportunity to invest in local organizations and programs that the 2SLGBTQI+ community relies on.
I ask the leader today to please inquire with the minister as to the status of the request of the renewal of the action plan and inform the Senate Chamber regarding that response.
I will certainly raise the question with the minister. I cannot provide you information on future expenses, but so far, we have provided $4.8 billion from 2023-24 to Fierté Canada Pride to further distribute funds to assist Pride organizations.
The government will continue to uphold the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for all Canadians, including the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
