Canada invests $100 million in ‘historic’ action plan for 2SLGBT communities

Canada is pledging $100 million to fund what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is touting as the country’s first five-year federal plan to support 2SLGBT communities.

Trudeau says 75% of the funding will go to community organizations focused on diversity and inclusion.

The news comes on the last day of Pride celebrations in Ottawa, which conclude with the first in-person parade after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, hailed the action plan alongside Trudeau, saying the funds are for « all those people who are fighting to be heard and accepted. »

She says the strategy was created after several years of consultation and research with members of the LGBT and Two-Spirit communities.

She says more than $5 million of the funding will go towards launching an awareness campaign to « keep communities safe and educate the general public. »