Dozens of 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy groups from across Canada, including Chroma NB and Alter Acadie from New Brunswick, traveled to Ottawa this month to push for a renewed and expanded federal action plan. The current plan, launched in 2022 with $100 million in funding, is set to expire in March 2027, leaving organizations facing a funding cliff.
Alex Arseneau, executive director of Alter Acadie, warned that without renewed funding, progress made over the past five years could be lost. He cited the recent closure of the ARC Foundation, a national charity that worked with Alter Acadie to promote inclusivity in francophone schools, as an example of the financial pressures facing these groups.
Hadeel Ibrahim, executive director of Chroma NB, emphasized the importance of the federal funding in helping organizations like hers build infrastructure and capacity. Chroma NB, which opened its new space in Saint John a year ago, has become a safe haven for many, including newcomers and refugees. Ibrahim argued that renewed funding would support economic growth, noting that 2SLGBTQ+ businesses contribute $86 billion annually to Canada's economy.
While Women and Gender Equality Canada has not formally committed to a new plan, it has engaged in consultations with community organizations. Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum, described these consultations as a positive signal that the department is aware of the impending expiration of the current action plan.