For a city of more than a million people, Ottawa has an abysmally underfunded 2SLGBTQIA+ community services sector. Our front-line organizations are working tirelessly to address mental health, homelessness, discrimination and poverty among 2SLGBTQIA+ communities – but they can’t do it alone.
Our communities are more likely to live in poverty, more likely to be homeless, and more likely to have experience violent victimization and discrimination. We are failing 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and the next generation of 2SLGBTQIA+ young people, through our inaction on 2SLGBTQIA+ health, rights and well-being.
Despite these crises, city funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ services has stagnated since (date) at approximately $800,000 a year, and we’re rarely considered outside of August when politicians come out in droves for pride parade photo ops. It’s time to raise the bar.
Expand funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ community services to no less than $2.5 million dollars a year through a dedicated funding program.
Develop a municipal 2SLGBTQIA+ advisory committee to inform municipal action on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.
Work with 2SLGBTQIA+ community organizations to develop an integrated 2SLGBTQIA+ community health hub and network in Ottawa.
Sign our call to action on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in the Ottawa 2022 election.
Take our candidate pledge to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Respond to our 5 questions on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues for mayoral candidates.
Take Action for 2SLGBTQI+ Communities this election by:
Dear Party Leaders,
We, the undersigned residents of Ottawa, call on all candidates for Ottawa City Council and the Mayoralty to take action on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in our city.
Despite progress, 2SLGBTQIA+ Ottawans continue to face high rates of discrimination, homelessness, violence and poverty. Too often, 2SLGBTQIA+ people are left out at City Hall, and our city has not done its part to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Ottawa.
I am adding my voice to the Queer Vote Ottawa and their three priorities for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in the Ottawa election.
I am committed to using my vote to support 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in Ottawa. I hope you, if elected, will take these priorities to heart, and be a proud advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in our city.
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