Back to all News Releases

Canada announces funding for 76 LGBTQ2 community-led projects

Chagger
Canada announces funding for 76 LGBTQ2 community-led projects

Date Posted: 2021-02-16

Organization Name: Government of Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to better supporting LGBTQ2 individuals in Canada and building a society where everyone has equal rights and opportunities to be their true, authentic selves. Along with LGBTQ2 communities across Canada, the federal government is working to strengthen LGBTQ2 organizations and support the work they do to create an equitable and consciously more inclusive Canada. That’s why Budget 2019 allocated funding for the first ever Government of Canada fund for LGBTQ2 organizations.

On February 11, the Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, along with the Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced approximately $15 million in funding for 76 LGBTQ2 community-led projects across Canada through the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund.

“The LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund helps advance equity for LGBTQ2 individuals in Canada by supporting the network of organizations across the country to build new tools, enhance collaboration, and strengthen organizational development at the local level,” Chagger said. “The Government of Canada is committed to working with and for all LGBTQ2 individuals in collaboration with community-led organizations to combat all forms of discrimination. Together we can build back an even better and consciously more inclusive Canada where everyone can be their true, authentic self.”

Examples of these projects whose initiatives help strengthen LGBTQ2 communities and advance equity for LGBTQ2 people in Canada are:

  • Nurturing Wabanaki 2SLGBTQ+ Capacity through Indigenous-led, cross-sectoral, inter-provincial network partnerships, led by the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance, to extend their supports for Two-Spirits in the Atlantic region;
  • Enhancing Arrival Communities for LGBTQI Refugees in BC, led by the Rainbow Refugee Society, to strengthen partnerships for LGBTQI refugee housing collaboration;
  • LGBT YouthLine’s Capacity Building Project, led by the Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line in Toronto, to build capacity, strengthen partnerships, and develop regional collaborative networks; and
  • Towards a general assembly for the trans community in Quebec, led by Gender Euphoria – Trans Pride, to strengthen their capacity and establish a network of trans organizations in Quebec.

“LGBTQ2 organizations from coast to coast to coast offer key services and do important work to create a more equal Canada, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated inequalities and created additional challenges for LGTBQ2 individuals,” Monsef said. “Today’s announcement, the result of first-ever federal fund specifically dedicated to LGBTQ2 equality, will help LGBTQ2 organizations strengthen their operations, increase partnerships, share knowledge, and build stronger networks to support LGBTQ2 communities across Canada. Since 2015, WAGE has provided over $14 million in direct support to 64 LGBTQ2 organizations across the country to help support their vital work.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all Canadians and disproportionately certain segments of the population, including LGBTQ2 communities.

“The Community Capacity Fund is a game changer for the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance because it provides much-needed resources to consolidate as the regional organization for Two-Spirits,” said John R. Sylliboy, Interim Executive Director, Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance. “As a result, the alliance can properly advocate, deliver knowledge-sharing programs, and expand its partnerships with its sister 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations and service providers to extend their supports for Two-Spirits in the Atlantic region.”

Through the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund, the federal government is acknowledging that the work of these organizations is critical for improving social, health, and economic outcomes in LGBTQ2 communities. It also recognizes that this work merits targeted investments to ensure the renewal and sustainability of the sector, especially during these challenging times.

“With this fund, YouthLine will upgrade its internal structures to train and support more peer support volunteers to meet the increased demand for our HelpLine,” said Berkha Gupta, Executive Director, Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line. “We will also expand our provincial presence and reach through regional networks as well as better understand and meet the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ youth in rural and Northern Ontario who often have little to no supports.”

The full list of supported organizations can be found online.

“Rainbow Refugee and our partners in the Rainbow Coalition for Refuge form a critical safety net for refugees who have escaped sex- and gender-based persecution,” said Dr. Sharalyn Jordan, Chair, Rainbow Refugee Society. “The LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund strengthens our organizations’ foundations, and helps us grow a more robust solidarity and support network. This investment in LGBTQ2 civil society signals a new level of commitment by Canadian government to realize equity and rights. This commitment needs to continue and grow until all members of our communities can live with safety, belonging, and respect.”