Overview of the Promise

During his campaign for prime minister, Mark Carney pledged to make funding permanent for the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund, aimed at supporting community organizations and networks that protect rights and advance equality across Canada. This promise specifically targeted ensuring long-term, stable financial support for initiatives that build organizational capacity, such as enhancing outreach, collaboration, and advocacy efforts within 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since taking office in 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has demonstrated ongoing support for 2SLGBTQI+ communities through various initiatives, though direct steps toward permanency for the Community Capacity Fund remain limited. In August 2025, the government reaffirmed its commitment to the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, highlighting achievements in advancing equality and addressing challenges faced by these communities. This included announcements of continued investments and support for related programs under Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).

Earlier in the year, in June 2025, Carney announced $1.5 million in funding specifically to enhance safety at 2SLGBTQI+ Pride parades amid rising hate crimes and backlash. This funding, while supportive of community events, was a one-time allocation rather than a permanent commitment. Additionally, Carney participated in Pride events, becoming the second sitting prime minister to march in a Pride parade, signaling symbolic support for LGBTQ+ rights.

The government has also continued to fund projects through the existing 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund, building on prior investments. For instance, in early 2025, there were announcements of funding rounds to strengthen community organizations, including support for entrepreneurship and mental health initiatives within 2SLGBTQI+ networks. However, these appear to be extensions of time-limited funding rather than a shift to permanent status.

Legislation and Policy Developments

No specific legislation has been proposed or passed under the Carney government to enshrine permanent funding for the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund. The fund, originally established as part of the 2022 Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan with initial multi-year commitments, operates under annual or multi-year budget allocations without statutory permanence. In March 2025, Carney's cabinet restructuring eliminated the dedicated Minister of Women and Gender Equality position, which oversees WAGE and related funds, raising concerns among advocates about potential reductions in focus on gender equality and 2SLGBTQI+ issues. Despite this, recent government statements in August 2025 emphasize continued investments, but without legislative backing to make the funding permanent.

The promise's key outcome—permanent funding to support rights protection and equality advancement—has seen partial progress through reaffirmed commitments and targeted investments, but lacks the structural change needed for long-term security.

Path to Fulfillment or Failure

For this promise to be considered kept, the government would need to introduce and pass legislation or include provisions in a federal budget that establish the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund as a permanent program with ongoing, non-discretionary funding, independent of annual appropriations. This could involve amendments to existing equality-related acts or a new bill dedicated to 2SLGBTQI+ support. Currently, the promise is in progress due to ongoing investments and public reaffirmations of support.

However, there is a risk of being broken if funding is not renewed in upcoming budgets, particularly amid broader fiscal restraint efforts mentioned in territorial requests for sustained gender-based violence funding. If the government fails to act by the end of its term or explicitly cuts the program, the promise would be deemed broken.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.