NDP Statement on International Transgender Day of Remembrance

Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made the following statement:

“Today, we remember the lives of two-spirit, trans and gender-diverse people who’ve been killed over the last year. Transgender Day of Remembrance reminds us of the very real threats to personal safety that two-spirit, trans and gender-diverse people in Canada and around the world continue to face.

Over the last year, 320 trans people have been murdered worldwide – over 94 per cent of which were trans women. This number alone is deeply upsetting, but now we’re also seeing a concerning trend of Canadian leaders and politicians using more divisive and hateful language geared towards two-spirt, trans and gender-diverse people.

This hateful language stokes discrimination and makes people unsafe. We’ve seen this escalate to a point where Conservative premiers across Canada are threatening the safety and autonomy of kids – which cannot be allowed.

New Democrats will keep fighting for stronger protections for two-spirit, trans and gender-diverse Canadians. No one should feel unsafe in their own homes, and communities.

Today, and every day, we’re calling on the Liberal government to take a stand against the division and the rising tide of 2SLGBTQI+ hate in Canada and to guarantee access to supportive and gender-affirming health care.

While today is about remembering and mourning those we’ve lost, it's also a day to celebrate the resiliency and strength of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. New Democrats are here for you, and we’ll keep fighting for a safer, better future.”