NDP Statement on Pride Month

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

As Pride celebrations begin across Canada, I’m proud to stand in solidarity with members of the LGBTQ2+ community, and wish them a Happy Pride, wherever they may live.

Pride month is known as a time for celebration, but it’s also a time to renew our commitment to solidarity and activism, where the origins of Pride are rooted. Courageous activism, to ensure LGBTQ2+ Canadians can live free from hate and discrimination, has brought us far. But we still have more work to do until all members of the LGBTQ2+ community have full equality in Canada.

That’s why the NDP team believe it’s time to do more. It’s time to end the discriminatory ban on blood donation by men who have sex with men. The Liberal government shortened the waiting period, but it’s still far longer than needed and continues to be based on outdated stereotypes – rather than scientific evidence. New Democrats will continue to push the Liberal government to keep its 2015 promise to end the ban.

We will also ban so-called “conversion therapy” for minors in Canada, and work with provinces and territories to stop this practice across the country. New Democrats also believe Canada must add sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the Employment Equity Actto end employment discrimination across the country.

On this day, we should also turn our thoughts to LGBTQ2+ individuals living in countries where being gay is still a crime. We must work to improve the refugee claim process for LGBTQ2+ refugees and ensure those facing persecution have safe passage into Canada.

New Democrats are proud to celebrate Pride. We are determined to redress historic and ongoing injustices to the LGBTQ2+ community, so that every single Canadian can celebrate their own identity.

This Pride Month, we honour all Canadians who work tirelessly to help advance LGBTQ2+ rights by taking bold action to change harmful medical, social, and political environments and build a more tolerant and inclusive society.

New Democrats will continue to advance the issues of importance to LGBTQ2+ Canadians, and together, we will build a Canada where everyone feels safe being who they are.