e-4753 (Social affairs and equality)

Equality rights are at the core of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and are intended to ensure that everyone of every age is treated with the same respect, dignity, and consideration, regardless of personal characteristics such as race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, mental or physical disability, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, and gender identities and expressions.

The Government of Canada does not have jurisdiction over education, which is an exclusive power of Provincial/Territorial governments under the Constitution.

The Prime Minister has expressed concerns over some provincial policies that could risk infringing upon the human rights of children. The Federal Government is committed to taking steps to improve equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, including youth, through the promotion of human rights and the development of inclusive federal policies, programs, and laws. Many organizations and members of the public have reached out to express different concerns and viewpoints regarding this issue. The Government of Canada will continue monitoring developments with concern while listening to all perspectives.

Data demonstrates that 10.5% of youth aged 15 to 24 years report being 2SLGBTQ+ yet 2SLGBTQI+ youth face higher rates of homelessness and suicidality.

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression continue to be a reality in Canada, and it must be eliminated. It is important that parents be involved in the lives of their children, and that should be balanced with the importance of protecting vulnerable young people.

The Government of Canada is committed to promoting 2SLGBTQI+ equality, protecting 2SLGBTQI+ rights, and addressing discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ communities, both past and current. The Government has taken several actions to end discrimination against transgender and gender diverse people in Canada. Some highlights:

• A new Action Plan to Combat Hate that will also address hate faced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities, including trans people (Budget 2023, chapter 4)
• 2022: Government of Canada criminalized conversion therapies, see Statement
• 2017: Canadian Human Rights Act amended to protect gender identity and gender expression
• 2022: Launch of Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

The first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan enables the federal government to help advance rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people of every age in Canada. It also seeks to address and prevent discrimination and stigma based on sexual orientation, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression for future 2SLGBTQI+ generations.

The Action Plan achieves these objectives by prioritizing community action and by coordinating work to advance 2SLGBTQI+ issues across the federal government, recognizing the types of inequities facing communities. The plan is supported by an investment of $100 million, which will help create a more equitable Canada for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, both present and future generations. In doing so it builds upon work the Government of Canada has done to address persisting disparities faced by 2SLGBTQI+ communities and to build a safer, more inclusive country.