What to know
- More than 40 2SLGBTQIA+ serving and allied organizations gathered on Parliament Hill for what organizers are calling the largest-ever Queer day on the Hill.
- The coalition is calling for $450 million over five years to renew and expand the federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan.
- The first federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan launched in 2022 with $100 million in funding and is set to expire in March 2027.
- Advocates say increased investment is needed to support Queer and Trans organizations, front-line services and communities facing rising hate and economic pressures.
- Delegates will meet with MPs, senators and representatives from ministers’ offices throughout the week ahead of the 2026 Fall Budget.
Dozens of 2SLGBTQIA+ serving and allied organizations have gathered on Parliament Hill for what organizers are calling the largest Queer Day of Action in Canadian history.
The day saw organizations like Queer Momentum, The 519, Rainbow Railroad, Human Dignity Network and Pride at Work gather to urge the Canadian government to make a major investment in our community ahead of the end of the first-ever federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, which is set to expire in March 2027.
First launched in 2022, the 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan is the federal government’s first plan specifically focused on advancing equality and improving outcomes for Queer and Trans communities. The federal government committed $100 million between 2022 and 2027 to implement the plan.
“We’re here with over 40 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to remind the government that our community matters and we’re under attack,” Latoya Nugent, Chief Communications and Advocacy Officer at Rainbow Railroad, told Queer & Now.
“We’re asking the government for $450 million dollars over five years to invest in the capacity of our community to do the important and critical work that our community needs.”
Queer Momentum co-founder Fae Johnstone explains that the strategic objectives of this demand include unlocking the economic power of Canada’s Queer community, growing Canada’s global human rights leadership in an age of backlash and strengthening the services supporting 2SLGBTQIA communities.
“This action plan sustains local community organizations; it makes sure that when Queer and Trans folks are struggling, they have services they can lean on,” Johnstone told Queer & Now.
“In the last five years, the world has changed for our communities. Hate is rising, the cost of living is hitting us hard, and organizations are really struggling,” she continued. “So this funding increase would allow us not just to shore up the services that people rely on, but to rise to the challenge in this moment.”
Supporting Queer rights at home and abroad
The focus isn’t just on support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Canada, but also on how Canada can continue to support 2SLGBTQIA+ rights internationally. Dignity Network Canada, one of the organizations in Ottawa for the event, is a coalition of over 70 organizations across the country dedicated to the human rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people around the world. Executive Director Doug Kerr explained that funding from the action plan allows for Canada to show up as a supporter of 2SLGBTQ+ rights within the international space.
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“It’s just a small amount of money overall, but it had a huge impact around the world to the work of Canadian embassies, Canadian NGOs, direct funding and direct support for human rights defenders that are working in very difficult contexts, increasingly around the world,” Kerr told Queer & Now.
“We’re seeing a backlash happening against the human rights of Queer and Trans everywhere. It’s happening here; it’s happening internationally,” Kerr explained. “The impact internationally is often increased criminalization, so Queer and Trans communities are criminalized, activists are being put in jail, countries are enacting really challenging laws and policies.”
“Canada is one of the few countries in the world that can actually be a force for good, for speaking up and supporting these movements and so to be really critical with what is happening internationally,” Kerr continued, adding that he hopes the upcoming government meetings will see federal officials commit to supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
“We have some asks to help us support the communities, the communities we work with, and make sure this work is continued to support our communities.”
“An investment that more than pays for itself.”
Johnstone explained that while $90 million equates to less than 0.02 per cent of annual federal spending, the funds have the potential to create a generational impact on front-line services, housing, healthcare, support for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees, and economic and business development.
“It’s an investment that more than pays for itself,” she explained. “When we support local organizations, we see less ER visits; less homeless Queer and Trans kids because their families have someone to call when they’re going through it. So an investment here is about decreasing costs later, but there’s also a big piece around unlocking the economic power and potential of our communities.”
She explained this includes supporting Queer and Trans workers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who are held back by discrimination.
“If we invest in those folks, if we invest in removing those barriers, we build a stronger economy for everybody.”
Calls for the government to double down on its support
During a press conference on Tuesday morning, Kerr explained that he expects the government will renew the action plan, but it needs to be comprehensive and actionable.
“I think what many of us are concerned about is that the time is different than it was five years ago. The stresses on our human rights are growing, and we need to see not just a renewed action plan, but renewed investment in our communities,” Kerr told media.
Alberta Senator Dr. Kristopher Wells told media that there are ongoing conversations about this investment happening between Queer and Trans leaders and not just the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, but all ministers in the federal government, as the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is a part of every portfolio.
“The Action Plan signals a commitment, and it sends a message to our community that this federal government sees our community, understands our community, and also understands Canada’s place in an increasingly divided and polarized world, where 2SLGBTQI+ communities are under direct attack, and that includes communities in Alberta,” Wells said.
“I would hope that the government will not only renew the action plan, but actually increase funding because we know true allies in times of challenge don’t back down; they double down in terms of their support.”
The rest of the week will see delegates from the contingent meet with members of parliament, senators and representatives from ministers’ offices to discuss the demands ahead of the release of the 2026 Fall Budget.
