No more expiry date: 2SLGBTQ+ groups celebrate renewed federal funding

For the past two years, 2SLGBTQ plus groups across Canada say they've been anxious over Ottawa's silence on renewing federal funds that support their operations. Those groups, including those in New Brunswick, organized a lobbying campaign this fall to push for continued funding, and when Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his budget in November, it included a commitment for funding for the next four years and into perpetuity. We won this against the odds, and I think there's a lot of reasons for queer and trans people to be worried and anxious in Canada right now. We see the global rise in hate, but this to me is a is a success story, a story of how when we come together, when we unite. And when we coordinate, we can win. The $150 billion budget includes $60 million over four years for 2SLGBTQ plus support and $15 million every year after. The funding solidifies Ottawa's renewal of the federal 2SLGBTQ plus action plan, which was born under the Trudeau government in 2022 and was set to expire in March 2027. Groups like Chroma MB in St. John, which provides community support to 2SLGBTQ plus people in New Brunswick, say they're feeling relieved after the budget reveal. I know there's all kinds of people within government, federal government, who care about this issue. We just didn't have any confirmation or specific promise to renew the action plan. So seeing that it was renewed and that it included ongoing funding, it is a huge relief And is really a great stepping stone and a foundation to build on. That ongoing funding is key according to groups like Chroma and Queer Momentum, not only because it frees them from boom and bust cycles, but also because they say it will make it harder for future governments to strip that funding. It's a sign of long-term support from the current government that they have baked this in to budget forever more. And that actually sets us up for success because the anxiety that we have faced this year and And last year is because, you know, Time-bound funding was sunsetting, and that means that organizations have to worry if they're going to be able to renew contracts, pay bills, pay rent, keep the lights on. What that gives us is stability and predictability and allows us to plan for the future, which will have an incredible positive impact on our communities from coast to coast to coast.