Today, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre is announcing $91,200 in new funding for Pride Calgary.
As part of The Government of Canada's commitment to support LGBTQ2 people across the country, a total of $91,200.00 will go to Pride Calgary through two funding streams: $41,200 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Fund – Local Festivals fund, and $50,000 through the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program.
These funds will help to support the successful execution of the Calgary Pride Parade and assist with expanding Calgary Pride’s programming in recognizing the diversity of the LGBTQ2 community.
In Budget 2019, the Government of Canada pledged $20 million to address the unique needs and persisting disparities among LGBTQ2 people across Canada by investing in the capacity and work of Canadian LGBTQ2 organizations. Today's funding announcement shows the Government's unwavering commitment to that mission.
Quotes
"Once again, our Liberal government is showing it’s unwavering support for LGBTQ2 communities in Calgary and across the country. Pride celebrations from coast to coast to coast highlight Canada’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and human rights. Today’s announcement will help Pride Calgary support a successful event and assist the organization in championing the diversity of our LGBTQ2 community through free workshops, activities, performances and other programming."
— Member of Parliament Kent Hehr
Quick facts
Every major advancement for LGBTQ2 rights for Canadians has come from Liberal governments. As one exmaple, 2019 marks the 50-year anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.
In November of 2016, the Prime Minister named Edmonton MP Randy Boissonnault the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 Issues. The role is designed to advise the PM on the development and coordination of the government’s LGBTQ2 agenda, and to engage with LGBTQ2 organizations from coast to coast to coast, in addition to representing these interests internationally.
Budget 2019 proposed $20M over two years in capacity-building and community-level work for LGBTQ2 service organizations in communities across Canada, a commitment that will truly change and save lives.
Through the expanded Local Festivals funding program, Canadian Heritage recently set aside $2 million over two years for stable and reliable Pride festival funding.
Associated links
View the federal Liberal record, and Kent Hehr’s record, on LGBTQ2 rights: KentHehrMP.ca/LGBTQ2
Canada announces new funds in support of LGBTQ2 rights: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2019/02/canada-announces-new-funds-in-support-of-lgbtq2-rights.html
Budget Plan: Budget 2019: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/docs/plan/toc-tdm-en.html
Calgary Pride website: www.calgarypride.ca
