Kailin Lee – Research Assistant, The Pearson Centre
Diversity initiatives are critical in building a strong Canada. In light of this and in honour of Pride season across the country, The Pearson Centre is proud to publish a series highlighting the importance of and contributions by queer organizations. Now, more than ever, the strength of the diverse communities in Canada and across the globe should be highlighted and we hope to share this through our series, Queering Canada.
“Queer” refers to an identity and umbrella term for the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and the reclamation of discriminatory language. In this context, it is an umbrella term and also signifies a willingness to move away from normativity (in policy or otherwise).
In a time when support is dwindling both politically and financially for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide, Canada has followed suit. Despite imperfections, we have historically been a leader in the fight for equality. This article therefore intends to focus on the impacts of financial retrenchment of support for (2S)LGBTQI+ initiatives, among other equity-deserving groups. Despite this, it is not food for hopeless thoughts, but rather a call to action for a return of Canada’s support and leadership in justice for queer communities.
The current situation
On July 6, 2026, the Government of Canada opened the floor to Canadians to express their key priorities through the 2026 Pre-Budget Consultations. From now until September, organizations and individuals across the country will be submitting ideas on what our finances should contribute to most. This process is ideal for lobbyists, organizations, and individuals who hope to influence where federal funding should go and in turn how Canada operates nation-wide as well as globally. In the Spring Economic Update 2026, there was no direct funding proposed for (2S)LGBTQI+ organizations or communities, and the only mention of queer people at all was physical security for marginalized communities against hate crimes through the Canada Community Security Program. While this is important, it does not address the root of the issue.
Why this is important
Funding LGBTQI+ organizations, businesses, and initiatives does more than support those who identify as part of the community. It also has a broad impact on the livelihoods of neighbourhoods, families, and individuals who experience other forms of hardship and seek support in what is available to them. Furthermore, this funding oftentimes goes directly to creating job opportunities for youth and meaningful career development for those in a wide range of positions. While there are many reasons to support queer communities, for example the advancement of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within Canadian society and beyond, there are also direct impacts on Canadian democracy, social capital, and economic health. The intersection of queerness with the wide array of identities Canadians hold means that withdrawing support has endless consequences.
How it works
Partnerships and funding from the government have a huge impact on how organizations can operate both internally and for the people they work to support. Aid for LGBTQI+ people and communities only faces further demand as many countries pull back from supporting them, or further entrench homophobic and transphobic ideals into law and legislation. Rainbow Railroad is a Canadian organization that helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety. Their Chief Communications & Advocacy Officer, Latoya Nugent, reported in conversation with The Pearson Centre a 51% year-over-year increase in aid requests to the organization. This reflects the dangerous reality for many queer individuals, and is also a signal to Canada that cuts to financial or political support are quite clearly the opposite of what is needed now. In Rainbow Railroad’s case, there was a funding demand of $18.5 million, but they disbursed $1.1 million in grassroots movements support and crisis response.
Canada, in all its diversity, must recognize that supporting this country means supporting the people who come to join in calling it home. Nugent explained that “nearly one in four Canadians are foreign-born, meaning immigrants, refugees, and migrants play an integral role in the country’s economy and society.” Furthermore, aid for other countries not only encourages philanthropic commitments from organizations and individuals, but employs Canadians. To expand funding for Canadian-based operations aiding queer communities and other marginalized groups would allow for experienced professionals in different areas to engage with the people seeking support, as well as give new opportunities for others.
Take for example the Ten Oaks Project, an Ottawa-based charity that provides a wide array of services for queer families and youth in the area. This ranges from a program for the parents of trans kids to resource provision for the youth themselves. They also provide an overnight camp, which for many offers the opportunity for their first job. Executive Director of Ten Oaks, Kymani Montgomery, explained that the charity organizes sessions on employability skills. These opportunities are critical in building resilient youth who know their rights and workplace treatment, but also the opportunity to experience employment that truly feels welcoming to their identities.
For many, the requirements for and cuts to funding opportunities are often too stringent to be feasible for a small organization that provides so much. Ten Oaks has been running for 22 years and their needs significantly outweigh their capacity. Montgomery noted that some queer Canadian grassroots organizations have had to close their doors because financial support dried up. This increases the demand on those that are still running. Oftentimes, funding for organizations intends to inspire new initiatives, without recognition for the projects that already exist and need further support to continue and grow their success. These requirements lead to less organizations working as successful and important intermediaries between the government and either local communities here in Canada or with global partners.
Many of these queer organizations have worked with various communities for years; decades, even. There are many more, such as the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) who has run their Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign for 20 years. Staff from SLF were generous enough to chat about the contents of this article as well.
The effect
Many Canadians feel that the difference between this country and those moving away from democracy are exponentially different, but the reality is that there is also concern that one politician, election, or bill could suddenly turn the tides. Montgomery also explained a present decline in corporate support for Pride, which reflects a shift in the perceived values of Canadians. If a corporation no longer sees inclusive values as profitable, it is because of a broader change in societal mindsets.
This does not mean that this shift cannot be reversed. Healthy democracy and economies require the full participation of all members of society. This should always include LGBTQI+ people, especially in Canada where we have the foundations to do so safely and encourage others to do the same. Funding organizations and support systems for queer people not only benefits LGBTQI+ communities in Canada and beyond, but also provides additional support for everyone, including further economic opportunities, sustainable policy development, and fulsome access to healthcare. With these backwards slides also comes the opportunity to grow further and adapt our fiscal and social policy to reflect a population as diverse as it truly is. Canada still has the chance to be the change, and for the sake of vulnerable communities and all Canadians, we should take it.
References
A special thank you to those at Rainbow Railroad, the Ten Oaks Project, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation who took the time to discuss with me.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2026/07/government-of-canada-launches-consultations-ahead-of-budget-2026.html
https://budget.canada.ca/update-miseajour/2026/report-rapport/pdf/update-miseajour2026-eng.pdf
https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/stories/annual-report-2025-state-of-global-lgbtqi-persecution
https://www.tenoaksproject.org/about/mission/
https://grandmotherscampaign.org/about-us/?nocache=1
https://nowtoronto.com/news/queer-organization-funding-reductions/