In a rapidly changing and more dangerous world, Canada is focused on what we can control. We are building our economy with major projects and millions more homes, we are empowering Canadians with lower costs and new opportunities to help you get ahead, and we are protecting our communities and our country. We cannot control what other nations do, but we can control what we choose to build-and we are building Canada strong.
Building the strongest economy in the G7 requires the full and equal participation of women and gender diverse Canadians. While Canada has made historic progress toward gender equality, incidents of gender-based violence, as well as rising hate and violence targeting 2SLGBTQI+ communities, are a stark reminder that equality and safety must continue to be defended.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced that Budget 2025 will provide new funding to advance equality and inclusion across Canada, ensuring every community benefits from the country's economic growth.
The increased ongoing funding of $660.5 million over five years for the Department for Women and Gender Equality will ensure sustained progress toward equality and safety for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. This includes:
- $382.5 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, with $76.5 million ongoing, to revitalise and stabilise efforts to advance women's equality in Canada, including by improving women's and girls' economic security and participation in leadership roles, for example through the Women's Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund.
- $54.6 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, with $10.9 million ongoing, to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This includes $7.5 million over five years, with $1.5 million ongoing, for Pride Security.
- $223.4 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, with $44.7 million ongoing, to strengthen federal action in response to gender-based violence in support for specific populations who have experienced such violence. This includes Indigenous women and underserved populations.
Ministers Champagne and Valdez also reaffirmed the government's commitment to continue the important ongoing work with the provinces and territories to end gender-based violence-including through the current bilateral agreements that enable these jurisdictions to fund essential prevention services and direct support for survivors.
