The Government of Canada is making a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ2 people from coast to coast to coast through investments that will build stronger, more resilient LGBTQ2 community organizations, networks, and infrastructure.
Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, and Randy Boissonnault, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues, announced up to $250,000 in funding to Fierté Canada Pride, Canada's national association of pride organizations.
Fierté Canada Pride will develop a strategic plan to help grow regional 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.
This funding is part of the new $20 million investment in Budget 2019 to support the capacity-building and community-level work of Canadian LGBTQ2 organizations. These investments will help address the unique needs and gaps in services to LGBTQ2 people in Canada by enabling growth among LGBTQ2 community organizations across the country. The Fierté Canada Pride project is one of six initiatives that have been announced since August 1st that will receive up to $1.75 million between in 2019-2020.
Quotes
"We all have the right to live with respect, safety and freedom. That is why our government is taking important steps to address past and current discrimination against LGBTQ2 people across Canada, and to celebrate and strengthen our country's diversity. By funding LGBTQ2 community organizations like Fierté Canada Pride, we are building on decades of advocacy work, and helping to create an inclusive future where everyone - regardless of who they love or how they identify - has an equal and fair chance at success."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality
"Pride celebrations send an important message that everyone can be themselves and feel proud of who they are. Funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada will work to build the capacity of Fierté Canada Pride on the national level, supporting growth and strengthening diversity and inclusion in communities across Canada."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre
"Diversity is one of Canada's greatest strengths, yet LGBTQ2 Canadians continue to face significant challenges, including higher rates of violence and discrimination. Investing in LGBTQ2 organizations will create new opportunities to improve the lives of LGBTQ2 people throughout Canada, and indeed, for all Canadians."
Randy Boissonnault
Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues
Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre
"As an organization that celebrates and promotes diversity and inclusion, we are very pleased to have the federal government investing in our mandate to empower and assist Canadian Pride organizations. The movement is growing rapidly and our need to support that growth across Canada will be spearheaded by this funding. Our vision is a Canada where LGBTQ2 people have the opportunity to celebrate their identity, culture and communities in every part of the country."
Heather Hay, President
Fierté Canada Pride
Quick facts
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Status of Women Canada became Women and Gender Equality Canada in December 2018 with an expanded mandate that includes the advancement of equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
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In addition to the $20 million investment in Budget 2019 to support capacity-building and community-level work of Canadian LGBTQ2 organizations, the Government of Canada has made the following investments:
- Global Affairs Canada has announced over $30 million to improve socio-economic outcomes for LGBTQ2 people in developing countries;
- The Federal Tourism Growth Strategy includes major investments in Pride events across Canada;
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced increased support for LGBTQ2 refugees fleeing violence and persecution through the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership; and
- Canadian Heritage has set aside $2 million over two years under the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program for Pride and LGBTQ2 events.
