Canadians and 2SLGBTQ+ charities are speaking out after Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said he is only aware of two genders.
On Wednesday, Poilievre was speaking with CP24 and was asked what his thoughts are on U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to declare only two genders in America.
“I’m not aware of any other genders than men and women,” the Canadian Conservative Leader said.
“I’m only aware of two, but if you come up with another list you’re welcome to do that, but I’m aware of two,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, we should have a government that just minds its own damn business and leaves people alone to make their own personal decisions,” he continued, saying that this is how he would operate his government.
Since 2019, the Canadian government has allowed people to use an ‘X’ marker on their passports to indicate that they identify as a gender other than male or female. When asked, if elected, if he would advocate for the U.S. government to recognize this, Poilievre changed the subject of the conversation to the cost of living in Canada, saying he feels the topic to be a “strange priority” due to other concerns facing people in Canada.
“If Liberals want to talk about different labels for gender that they want to put on passports in the United States they can do that,” he continued.
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order declaring that the United States only recognizes two genders: male and female.
Online, some Canadians are calling out the Conservative leader for his stance.
“Once again, @PierrePoilivre and @CPC_HQ is taking a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook. Canada is a world leader in protecting the rights of those with differing gender identities and expression,” Liberal MP Rob Oliphant posted to X.
“99.67% of Canadians identify as male or female. For the transgender and non-binary community (0.33%) showing them some respect is not an affront to the nation. Mr. Poilievre rides the wave of American hatred of this tiny vulnerable minority,” Emergency room doctor Raghu Venugopal wrote on X.
“Poilievre is right. Leave trans people alone and focus on the real issues that matter to Canadians,” Independent Canadian Senator Kristopher Wells wrote on X.
Data from the 2021 Census found that 100,815 people in Canada reported being transgender or non-binary.
CANADIAN 2SLGBTQ+ CHARITIES PUSH BACK
It Gets Better Canada is a national charity working to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Executive Director Omid Razavi says that it is the government’s business to support trans and gender-diverse people in Canada.
“In 2019 [Canada started] offering the option for ‘X’ as a gender marker on passports. That’s a huge statement of support, and that requires government action, that requires government solidarity,” he explained. “So without that, we’re really not doing justice to the communities that need support and uplifting,” he told Now Toronto.
Read More
“We’re one of the only countries in the world that have set out a 2SLGBTQ+ action plan,” he continued, adding that this is something that distinguishes Canada as a nation that supports 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
“So, why steer away from that at a time that we really should be celebrating?”
Razavi said that since the 2024 closure of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, It Gets Better is the only national charity focused on 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Since Monday’s presidential inauguration, the charity has seen an increase in youth looking to access their service, with a 25 per cent increase in requests compared to last year.
“We need strong leadership in our government that stands by our communities, our communities at risk, our 2SLGBTQI youth communities as well,” Razavi said, adding that many 2SLGBTQ+ youth are currently struggling with elevated mental health issues.
“We’re seeing increased policies and legislations across several provinces that are impacting access to affirming care safe spaces, specifically for trans and non-binary youth. So, you know, it’s a time that, again, we need strong leadership that understands the value in standing behind and making affirmative statements.”
Egale Canada is a charity working to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada. In a statement to Now Toronto, the charity’s Executive Director, Helen Kennedy, said it is important for political leaders to stand up for all people in Canada.
“In the current climate of rising hate and misinformation against 2SLGBTQ+ people, it’s crucial for all of our political leaders to stand up for every person in Canada – including trans and gender diverse people.”
“Denying the existence of trans and gender diverse people ignores decades of medical and psychological research, as well as the voices of those directly impacted,” Kennedy continued, adding that denying the existence of transgender and gender-diverse people only contributes to discrimination, hate, and violence.
