Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget

0 Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget August 20231 Recommendations from Egale Canada Recommendation 1: That the federal government provide an update on the progress to date and the timeline for launching the National Action Plan on Combatting Hate, involve 2SLGBTQI and other co [...] Recommendation 3: That the federal government enhance support for SOGIESC / LGBTQI human rights in international assistance to $20M a year. [...] When we refer to international issues outside of Canada, we use the LGBTQI acronym as it is widely used internationally and recognizes that Two Spirit is a Canadian term not used by Indigenous communities in other parts of the world. [...] There is a growing reactionary movement in Canada threatening the safety, freedoms, and rights of 2SLGBTQI people, especially those who are Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and/or gender non-conforming (2STNBGN). [...] The data clearly demonstrates that there is a need for a long term, sustainable, and fully costed plan to protect the safety, rights, and freedoms of 2SLGBTQI people. [...] Funding and consultations necessary for the development of a government-wide integrated framework on strengthening access to healthcare/mental health for 2SLGBTQI populations in Canada. [...] Consultations and specific funding allocation for harmonizing Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy with tangible measures under the Action Plan that address issues experienced by 2SLGBTQI communities in accessing federal to provincial income support benefits and alleviating these challenges. 4. [...] Specific funding allocation to strengthen 2SLGBTQI diversity and inclusion in the federal government, acting on the recommendations arising from ‘Emerging from the Purge: The State of LGBTQI2S Inclusion in the Federal Workplace and Recommendations for Improvement4 report. [...] While the Action Plan makes mention of this report to reference the objective of strengthening 2SLGBTQI diversity and inclusion in federal workplaces, the same cannot be achieved without dedicated funding. [...] With the rise of anti-LGBTQI legislation and hatred in many parts of the world, this is the moment that Canada should be a leader in this area and increase targeted funding to $20M a year.Suite 217-120 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON.