2025-2026 Reporting on the Calls for Justice: 18.1 to 18.32: 2SLGBTQQIA+ Specific Calls

The 2022 Public Service Employee Survey showed that RCMP employees who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ continue to experience harassment and discrimination at higher rates than non-2SLGBTQI+ employees. In response to these results, and in line with the recommendations from the Emerging from the Purge report, the Positive Space Initiative was launched in 2025-2026.

This initiative aims to improve the workplace experience for 2SLGBTQI+ RCMP employees by helping to create a safer, more inclusive, and respectful environment. A key part of the initiative is the role of trained RCMP employee volunteers. These volunteers are known as Positive Space Ambassadors, and they are either part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community or allies. They:

• provide confidential, judgment-free support
• serve as advocates for inclusivity and respect
• help connect employees with relevant internal and external support resources

The Positive Space Initiative includes:

• a directory of Ambassador contacts
• active promotion through internal channels
• a dedicated internal web page that is available to all employees

This webpage brings together key learning tools and supports in one place. These include: 

• Agora's 2SLGBTQ+ National course
• the Canada School of Public Service's 2SLGBTQI+ Learning Path
• the RCMP Guide to Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary and Two-Spirit Employees
• networks including:
  • the RCMP Pride Network
  • the TNB2S Mentor Network
  • the Public Service Pride Network Gender Expression and Identity Committee
• mental health and community resources 
• guidance on inclusive language to help foster respectful and affirming communication

Ambassadors have access to a comprehensive toolkit and reference materials to support their role. To ensure consistency and quality, volunteers must complete Canada School of Public Service training before becoming Ambassadors. This training helps strengthen inclusive practices within the organization.

The initiative works in alignment with other RCMP efforts, including those led by:

• the Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Secretariat
• the Pride Network
• Divisions, nationwide

Together, these reinforce the RCMP's Core Values of taking responsibility, showing respect, serving with excellence, demonstrating compassion, and acting with integrity.

In addition, the RCMP continues to promote awareness and education through the observance of key commemorative and awareness days, including:

• International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
• Public Service Pride Week
• Transgender Awareness Week
• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
• Transgender Day of Remembrance, among others

The RCMP delivers presentations and participates in events such as guest speaker sessions, Pride flag raisings, and community Pride parades. These activities aim to increase employee knowledge, understanding, respect and inclusion of all intersectional identities.

Finally, the RCMP is currently reviewing its Guide to Supporting Two Spirit, Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Employees. This guide aims to enhance support for these employees, while highlighting the role all RCMP employees play in fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

The Positive Space Initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 18.1 by supporting greater awareness of 2SLGBTQI+ issues. It provides key learning tools and supports to improve the workplace of 2SLGBTQI+ people. The Positive Space Initiative narrative is explicit about the RCMP’s participation in the federal LGBT Purge and the resulting loss of trust. By centering accountability and committing to reform, the RCMP is acknowledging that historical bias and systemic discrimination continue to shape relationships with marginalized communities, including Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Creates a visible record of institutional accountability: The public webpage names historical discrimination and explains the reforms that are underway. This helps make the RCMP’s commitments traceable over time. This supports transparency and enables external scrutiny by communities, partners, and oversight bodies
• Supports rebuilding trust by recognizing harms: By documenting the RCMP’s role in discriminatory practices and naming impacts, the web page helps show that these past harms are being acknowledged rather than minimized.
• Supports consistent learning and culture change: Bringing together training, policy updates, and workplace initiatives in one place helps employees understand shared expectations for respectful conduct and service delivery. It also gives employees a clear reference point for what the organization says it is changing

The implementation of Positive Space Initiative aligns with the RCMP’s Core values and serves as example of the organization’s commitment to ensuring a workplace culture that is healthy, inclusive and trusted by RCMP employees. The Chief Human Resources Office did not receive funding for this initiative as it is part of the responsibilities under its programs dedicated to advancing Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policies, strategies and programs.

• Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women’s leadership and participation in governance.
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) received $472,000 to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women’s Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women's Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation & Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 18.1 by providing funding and support to Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to build capacity and support 2SLGBTQI+ populations.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women's and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enables Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests approximately $8 million annually to support this program.

• Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women's leadership and participation in governance
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) received $472,000to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women's Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women's Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation & Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 18.2 by supporting Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ organizations and networks to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes and policy discussions. Funded activities strengthened organizational capacity, leadership, and engagement, enabling Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people and youth to bring their perspectives, priorities, and lived experiences into community, regional, and national decision-making spaces.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women's and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enable Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests approximately $8 million annually to support this program.

During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, CIHR, through Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health and in collaboration with partners across CIHR continued to support Indigenous-led, community-based, and distinctions-based health research. Notable examples include:

• CIHR-Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health completed 18 months of national engagement to inform its strategic directions, bringing together Indigenous partners, communities, researchers, trainees, and organizations to identify priorities and opportunities for Indigenous health research
  • This engagement helps ensure Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health -supported research reflects Indigenous-defined priorities, including those related to safety, wellness, healing, and culturally grounded care
• Support for the Indigenous Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative cohorts, advancing Indigenous-led research focused on health and wellness across the life course, including early life, families, and future generation

CIHR responds to Call for Justice 18.3 by supporting inclusive, community-driven and distinctions-based approaches to Indigenous health research. This work can help improve data collection and research on the health realities of 2SLGBTQI+ people. CIHR supports accurate and respectful representation of Indigenous Peoples in health research, including where projects prioritize 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion and Indigenous-defined data approaches through targeted funding opportunities, partnerships, and research practices that embed Indigenous self-determination. By strengthening Indigenous-led research capacity, Indigenous data sovereignty, and Indigenous knowledge systems, CIHR can help address systemic gaps in evidence related to 2SLGBTQI+ health. This work can also help the development of services and supports that are more culturally safe and responsive.

• Indigenous-led health research leadership: Leads a national research agenda on Indigenous health and wellness and supports innovative research that can improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
• Strengthened Indigenous self-determination in research: Advances Indigenous self-determination in health research. Supports Indigenous governance and leadership in health knowledge production through funding opportunities, partnerships, and research governance approaches
• Increased Indigenous research capacity and workforce pathways: Supports training and mentorship for Indigenous researchers and health practitioners. This includes partnerships with the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research, post secondary institutions, and Indigenous organizations
• Culturally safe and community-based health evidence: Funds research grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and community defined priorities. This research can inform culturally safe, community-based health services. It also can improve the responsiveness of health systems
• Trauma-informed and culturally grounded healing approaches: Supports Indigenous-led research that addresses intergenerational and collective healing. Advances culturally grounded healing and wellness pathways, including the development and use of community defined indicators of wellness. Supports the National Women's Health Research Initiative, which focuses on improving the health of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
• Distinctions-based Inuit research capacity and infrastructure: Supports Inuit-led research capacity and infrastructure within Inuit Nunangat through relationship building and partnerships with Inuit organizations. Strengthens conditions for Inuit defined research priorities, including continued support for the Inuit Research Network as it moves towards self-determination in interdisciplinary research and capacity-building
• Inclusive research and improved evidence on 2SLGBTQI+ health realities: Strengthens the potential for more accurate representation and improved evidence on the health realities of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people to inform culturally safe services and supports. CIHR does so through inclusive and community driven approaches, where projects prioritize 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion.

The Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) Program represents a commitment of $105.5 million over six years by CIHR to strengthen Indigenous health research capacity in Canada.

Funding provided in 2025-2026 by the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, supported Indigenous -led data projects designed to develop distinctions-based or identity-specific indicators or methodologies to increase knowledge around missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and around safety for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. In 2025-2026, the funding was fully allocated to support ongoing multi-year projects that were approved in 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 under calls for proposals processes. The initiatives that were funded focused on laying the groundwork for improved methodologies and new approaches to produce better data around safety that are inclusive of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives. We look forward to results once these multi-year projects conclude.

This initiative responds to the need for urgent action that is based on a recognition of distinctions and identity-based concerns with existing data held by governments as well as other statistical institutions, and by concerns with research about Indigenous people conducted by non-Indigenous institutions and researchers.

In 2025-2026 highlights included:

• $116,920 was allocated to Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada's Inuit Count:An Inuit-Specific, Gender-Based Approach to Improving Data and Addressing Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to develop a data strategy, through a gendered-lens that is based on promising practices, early intervention, prevention, and healing and wellness supports and programs
  • This project is also helping improve data methodologies that are specific to missing and murdered Inuit women, girls, and LGBTQI+ Inuit, including initiatives that: develop qualitative distinctions or identity-based indicators; address existing methodological gaps for Inuit women, girls and gender diverse Inuit who are overwhelmingly underserviced or underrepresented in data; and define safety through Inuit ways of understanding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles
• $50,000 was allocated to Manitoba Inuit Association's Manitoba Inuit Association Data Sovereignty to empower Manitoba Inuit in addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people by facilitating the development of Inuit-centered tools and methodologies that support innovative and impactful Inuit-led research and data
  • The investment is in a multi-year data management strategic plan that is sustainable and looks toward community, organizational and partner/stakeholder engagements to assist in understanding data gaps and develop Inuit-centered data collection tools and methodologies
• $50,000 was allocated to Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak's Engaging with Governmental Data Holders to Extract Data and Promote Culturally Competent Research on Missing and Murdered Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ Métis to engage with public safety, policing, and correctional authorities, as well as key federal departments working with data obtained from these authorities, in order to extract existing Métis-specific data on MMIWG currently not in the possession or at the disposal of the Women of the Métis Nation.
  • The project also seeks to share understandings between Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak and current governmental data holders on how to expand their cultural competency in collecting, recording and sharing data on MMIWG using distinctions-based, gender-disaggregated, intersectional methodologies and indicators
• $175,000 was allocated to the 2SLGBTQI+ Committee on MMIWG's Gathering Our Stories: Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ Data and Research Initiatives to contribute to changing the way information about Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and communities is gathered, analyzed, and shared, by developing innovative Indigenous community-driven approaches, strategies and resources
  • The project aims to reclaim and regenerate Indigenous knowledge about 2SLGTBQI+ people, as well as knowledge exchange processes; generate promising practices for engaging Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people regarding data collection; and establish protocols for data governance and sovereignty related to Indigenous 2SLGTBQI+ people

This initiative, the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, responds to Call for Justice 18.3 by funding projects led by Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to improve existing data methodologies related to 2SLGBTQI+ perspectives on safety and inclusion in research processes. By prioritizing Indigenous-led solutions, the program fosters a more comprehensive understanding of violence, discrimination, and systemic barriers. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this program as it strengthens advocacy and resources tailored to 2SLGBTQI+ individuals’ realities.

• Improved data accuracy: Indigenous-led knowledge systems and methodologies ensure data accurately reflects values, laws, worldviews and lived experiences
• Informed policy and advocacy: Reliable, distinctions-based Indigenous-led intersectional data strengthens evidence-based advocacy and ensures that Indigenous data voices drive future policies and advocacy efforts
• Greater inclusion of underserved groups: Focus on identity-based indicators enhances representation of many Indigenous groups, particularly 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, urban Indigenous populations, and those experiencing intergenerational trauma, who have historically been left out of data collection efforts
• Enhanced data collection methods and improved data and data accuracy: Funding supports the improvement of collection processes of disaggregated, Inuit-specific data to address historical data gaps, as well as the improvement of existing Inuit-led knowledge systems and methodologies to accurately reflect values, laws, worldviews and lived experiences
• Increased self-determination in research: Funding Inuit organizations to improve and guide existing Inuit-specific data methodologies and interpretation, and strengthens Inuit sovereignty in data governance
• Processes of collecting disaggregated data on violence against Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People: Ensures that Métis-specific data is collected and analyzed separately, addressing long-standing gaps in statistics on violence, socio-economic disparities, and systemic barriers, and allows for Métis worldviews and lived experiences to define how violence is understood and measured in their communities
• Supporting Métis-led research and data collection: Prioritizes Métis governance and leadership in existing data collection processes, ensuring that Métis cultural perspectives shape how violence, harm, and safety are understood
• Highlighting Métis barriers to safety and access to rights: Funds innovative approaches to improving data methodologies to collect and examine these barriers, such as: access to culturally appropriate victim services, and supports policy reform efforts that push for better service delivery and funding allocations for Métis communities
• Enhanced visibility for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people: Funds projects that improve existing data intake and research frameworks to capture Two-Spirit, transgender, and non-binary identities accurately, and ensure data collection respects and reflects Indigenous gender identities and worldviews, and helps 2SLGBTQI+ people become visible in statistics and policy discussions

The program is funded through an allocation of $9.4 million over six years (2021-2027) to support Indigenous-led research initiatives.

A total of just over $1.5 million was approved for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support 13 existing multi-year projects.

During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, CIHR, through Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health and in collaboration with partners across CIHR continued to support Indigenous-led, community-based, and distinctions-based health research. Notable examples include:

• CIHR-Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health completed 18 months of national engagement to inform its strategic directions, bringing together Indigenous partners, communities, researchers, trainees, and organizations to identify priorities and opportunities for Indigenous health research
  • This engagement helps ensure Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health -supported research reflects Indigenous-defined priorities, including those related to safety, wellness, healing, and culturally grounded care
• Support for the Indigenous Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative cohorts, advancing Indigenous-led research focused on health and wellness across the life course, including early life, families, and future generation

CIHR responds to Call for Justice 18.4. It supports funding opportunities and research practices where researchers align their initiatives with distinctions-based and community-led approaches to data and research. These approaches include those that strengthen inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ Indigenous Peoples in health research.

Through Indigenous-led funding opportunities, partnerships, and guidance that embed Indigenous self-determination in research. This promotes more respectful and accurate representation in health evidence. It includes projects that prioritize 2SLGBTQI+ specific questions, culturally grounded methods, and community defined data approaches. By strengthening Indigenous-led research capacity and supporting distinctions-based participation in health research, CIHR helps address systemic barriers that have contributed to gaps in evidence on 2SLGBTQI+ health realities. This work also supports culturally safe approaches to applying research in practice.

• Indigenous-led health research leadership: Leads a national research agenda on Indigenous health and wellness and supports innovative research that can improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
• Strengthened Indigenous self-determination in research: Advances Indigenous self-determination in health research. Supports Indigenous governance and leadership in health knowledge production through funding opportunities, partnerships, and research governance approaches
• Increased Indigenous research capacity and workforce pathways: Supports training and mentorship for Indigenous researchers and health practitioners. This includes partnerships with the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research, post secondary institutions, and Indigenous organizations
• Culturally safe and community-based health evidence: Funds research grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and community defined priorities. This research can inform culturally safe, community-based health services. It also can improve the responsiveness of health systems
• Trauma-informed and culturally grounded healing approaches: Supports Indigenous-led research that addresses intergenerational and collective healing. Advances culturally grounded healing and wellness pathways, including the development and use of community defined indicators of wellness. Supports the National Women's Health Research Initiative, which focuses on improving the health of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
• Distinctions-based Inuit research capacity and infrastructure: Supports Inuit-led research capacity and infrastructure within Inuit Nunangat through relationship building and partnerships with Inuit organizations. Strengthens conditions for Inuit defined research priorities, including continued support for the Inuit Research Network as it moves towards self-determination in interdisciplinary research and capacity-building
• Inclusive research and improved evidence on 2SLGBTQI+ health realities: Strengthens the potential for more accurate representation and improved evidence on the health realities of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people to inform culturally safe services and supports. CIHR does so through inclusive and community driven approaches, where projects prioritize 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion.

The Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) Program represents a commitment of $105.5 million over six years by CIHR to strengthen Indigenous health research capacity in Canada.

Funding provided in 2025-2026 by the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, supported Indigenous -led data projects designed to develop distinctions-based or identity-specific indicators or methodologies to increase knowledge around missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and around safety for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. In 2025-2026, the funding was fully allocated to support ongoing multi-year projects that were approved in 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 under calls for proposals processes. The initiatives that were funded focused on laying the groundwork for improved methodologies and new approaches to produce better data around safety that are inclusive of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives. We look forward to results once these multi-year projects conclude.

This initiative responds to the need for urgent action that is based on a recognition of distinctions and identity-based concerns with existing data held by governments as well as other statistical institutions, and by concerns with research about Indigenous people conducted by non-Indigenous institutions and researchers.

In 2025-2026 highlights included:

• $116,920 was allocated to Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada's Inuit Count:An Inuit-Specific, Gender-Based Approach to Improving Data and Addressing Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to develop a data strategy, through a gendered-lens that is based on promising practices, early intervention, prevention, and healing and wellness supports and programs
  • This project is also helping improve data methodologies that are specific to missing and murdered Inuit women, girls, and LGBTQI+ Inuit, including initiatives that: develop qualitative distinctions or identity-based indicators; address existing methodological gaps for Inuit women, girls and gender diverse Inuit who are overwhelmingly underserviced or underrepresented in data; and define safety through Inuit ways of understanding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles
• $50,000 was allocated to Manitoba Inuit Association's Manitoba Inuit Association Data Sovereignty to empower Manitoba Inuit in addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people by facilitating the development of Inuit-centered tools and methodologies that support innovative and impactful Inuit-led research and data
  • The investment is in a multi-year data management strategic plan that is sustainable and looks toward community, organizational and partner/stakeholder engagements to assist in understanding data gaps and develop Inuit-centered data collection tools and methodologies
• $50,000 was allocated to Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak's Engaging with Governmental Data Holders to Extract Data and Promote Culturally Competent Research on Missing and Murdered Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ Métis to engage with public safety, policing, and correctional authorities, as well as key federal departments working with data obtained from these authorities, in order to extract existing Métis-specific data on MMIWG currently not in the possession or at the disposal of the Women of the Métis Nation.
  • The project also seeks to share understandings between Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak and current governmental data holders on how to expand their cultural competency in collecting, recording and sharing data on MMIWG using distinctions-based, gender-disaggregated, intersectional methodologies and indicators
• $175,000 was allocated to the 2SLGBTQI+ Committee on MMIWG's Gathering Our Stories: Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ Data and Research Initiatives to contribute to changing the way information about Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and communities is gathered, analyzed, and shared, by developing innovative Indigenous community-driven approaches, strategies and resources
  • The project aims to reclaim and regenerate Indigenous knowledge about 2SLGTBQI+ people, as well as knowledge exchange processes; generate promising practices for engaging Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people regarding data collection; and establish protocols for data governance and sovereignty related to Indigenous 2SLGTBQI+ people

The Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program responds to Call for Justice 18.4 by ensuring that data collection processes are modified to be more inclusive of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, including non-binary and gender-diverse people. By eliminating restrictive gender classifications and promoting distinctions-based data collection, the program ensures a more accurate representation of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ realities. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit as the program enhances the ability to track and address systemic barriers impacting Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

• Improved data accuracy: Indigenous-led knowledge systems and methodologies ensure data accurately reflects values, laws, worldviews and lived experiences
• Informed policy and advocacy: Reliable, distinctions-based Indigenous-led intersectional data strengthens evidence-based advocacy and ensures that Indigenous data voices drive future policies and advocacy efforts
• Greater inclusion of underserved groups: Focus on identity-based indicators enhances representation of many Indigenous groups, particularly 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, urban Indigenous populations, and those experiencing intergenerational trauma, who have historically been left out of data collection efforts
• Enhanced data collection methods and improved data and data accuracy: Funding supports the improvement of collection processes of disaggregated, Inuit-specific data to address historical data gaps, as well as the improvement of existing Inuit-led knowledge systems and methodologies to accurately reflect values, laws, worldviews and lived experiences
• Increased self-determination in research: Funding Inuit organizations to improve and guide existing Inuit-specific data methodologies and interpretation, and strengthens Inuit sovereignty in data governance
• Processes of collecting disaggregated data on violence against Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People: Ensures that Métis-specific data is collected and analyzed separately, addressing long-standing gaps in statistics on violence, socio-economic disparities, and systemic barriers, and allows for Métis worldviews and lived experiences to define how violence is understood and measured in their communities
• Supporting Métis-led research and data collection: Prioritizes Métis governance and leadership in existing data collection processes, ensuring that Métis cultural perspectives shape how violence, harm, and safety are understood
• Highlighting Métis barriers to safety and access to rights: Funds innovative approaches to improving data methodologies to collect and examine these barriers, such as: access to culturally appropriate victim services, and supports policy reform efforts that push for better service delivery and funding allocations for Métis communities
• Enhanced visibility for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people: Funds projects that improve existing data intake and research frameworks to capture Two-Spirit, transgender, and non-binary identities accurately, and ensure data collection respects and reflects Indigenous gender identities and worldviews, and helps 2SLGBTQI+ people become visible in statistics and policy discussions

The program is funded through an allocation of $9.4 million over six years (2021-2027) to support Indigenous-led research initiatives.

A total of just over $1.5 million was approved for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support 13 existing multi-year projects.

• Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women’s leadership and participation in governance
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) received $472,000 to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women's Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation & Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 18.7 by providing funding and support to Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations. This includes grassroots initiatives through a funding model that focuses on multi-year, capacity-focused, and organization-centred funding.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women's and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enables Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests approximately $8 million annually to support this program.

• Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women's leadership and participation in governance
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) received $472,000 to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women’s Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation & Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 18.8 by providing funding and support to Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, including those in different urban centres, rural and remote areas. Investments result in capacity building for organizations and work to advance the wellbeing of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ persons in Canada.

The program funds national, regional and community-based Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations. This includes funding national bodies and their affiliates to support their work building networks, convening gatherings and engaging governments.

Many of the activities funded (for example, national gatherings, relationship-agreement tables, networks across regions and with other government departments) are in line with the networking and peer-support dimension of Call for Justice 18.8.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women's and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enables Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests approximately $8 million annually to support this program.

PSPC will be publishing this new guidance in the update to the GCworkplace Accessibility and Inclusivity Guide in 2026. The guidance will include definitions of various washroom types and will continue to promote advancement of universal and/or single stall washrooms in new major projects.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 18.11 by accommodating non-binary gender identities in program and service design, including the provision of gender-neutral washrooms and change rooms. By offering inclusive washrooms in federal buildings, PSPC is taking concrete steps to recognize and uphold the rights, safety, and dignity of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in government-operated spaces.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from the normalization and integration of inclusive infrastructure that affirms diverse gender identities. The presence of gender-neutral washrooms supports safety, autonomy, and access for 2SLGBTQI+ people, including trans and non-binary Indigenous individuals, within public service environments that have historically excluded or stigmatized gender diversity.

• Expands safe options in federal buildings: Offers all-access and/or universal washrooms alongside existing gendered facilities, enhancing dignity, choice, and accessibility for all individuals
• Promotes inclusion through infrastructure: Embeds gender-inclusive design as a requirement for new construction and major upgrades in government buildings
• Supports 2SLGBTQI+ and non-binary safety: Reduces barriers and experiences of harm associated with binary washroom models, particularly for trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit users
• Aligns with Government of Canada signage standards: Ensures consistency and visibility through the application of TBS-approved inclusive washroom signage across buildings

This initiative is funded by and based on internal infrastructure and capital planning availability and allocations, on an ongoing basis. Costs are integrated in major rehabilitation and recapitalization projects that involve base building upgrades.

In Fall 2025, the Task Force evolved into the Hate Crimes Working Group, improving its ability to anticipate challenges and support a more efficient response to emerging trends. The Hate Crimes Working Group consists of a core group of experts with an enhanced strategic focus, while retaining the Task Force’s mandate.

The Hate Crimes Working Group responds to Call for Justice 18.12 by strengthening the policing community's ability to investigate crimes targeting 2SLGBTQI+ people and by improving consistency and accountability in how hate crimes are handled across jurisdictions.

Police-reported hate crimes have increased dramatically over the past few years and continue to disproportionately target:

• Indigenous Peoples
• Black people
• Racialized people
• religious minorities
• 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• women
• persons with disabilities

By gathering together police services, dedicated hate crime investigators and other partners (for example, academia, community leaders, advocacy groups, prosecutors and subject matters experts), the Hate Crimes Working Group strengthens cross-jurisdictional coordination and shared approaches that support accountability in investigations and case handling.

This initiative is funded through existing resources.

The implementation of the GBA Plus continued to be integrated across within the RCMP, across all operations, administration, policies, programs and services.

The RCMP promotes the Canada School of Public Service’s GBA Plus training to help meet Call for Justice 18.13. The training builds staff skills in applying gender and diversity based analysis across RCMP policies, programs, and operations, helping to identify and reduce barriers and unintended negative impacts on diverse groups.

The initiative supports ongoing review and improvement of procedures to better reflect the needs and experiences of diverse communities served by the RCMP, including Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. It does so through the RCMP GBA Plus Policy Statement and sustained internal capacity-building (including training, advisory support, and resource-sharing). By requiring employees to challenge assumptions, reflect on personal bias, and consider broader social, economic, and cultural impacts, GBA Plus helps embed culturally appropriate, equity-informed approaches into service delivery and organizational decision-making.

GBA Plus provides an intersectional framework, meaning that multiple intersecting forms of discrimination are highlighted for learning.

• Reduces bias-related harms in RCMP decision-making and service delivery: Strengthens staff capacity to identify and mitigate barriers to equality. Supports more equitable policies, programs, and operational practices for the communities the RCMP serves
• Improves the quality of engagement with diverse communities: Encourages employees to challenge assumptions, reflect on personal bias, and learn from lived experience. This supports more respectful interactions with Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by the MMIWG2S+ crisis
• Strengthens evidence-informed policy and program adjustments: Promotes the use of disaggregated data and research to measure differential impacts and inform changes. This helps reduce unintended negative impacts on Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people
• Supports RCMP reform: Builds organization-wide competency in intersectional analysis. This reinforces the RCMP Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and its GBA Plus Policy Statement. It also contributes to more consistent consideration of diverse impacts across business lines
• Improves internal workplace inclusion and retention conditions: Helps identify barriers and risks within RCMP administration and workplace practices. This contributes to a more inclusive environment for employees from underrepresented groups

Implementation costs are covered through internal allocation, as part of ongoing business practices.

The 2022 Public Service Employee Survey showed that RCMP employees who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ continue to experience harassment and discrimination at higher rates than non-2SLGBTQI+ employees. In response to these results, and in line with the recommendations from the Emerging from the Purge report, the Positive Space Initiative was launched in 2025-2026.

This initiative aims to improve the workplace experience for 2SLGBTQI+ RCMP employees by helping to create a safer, more inclusive, and respectful environment. A key part of the initiative is the role of trained RCMP employee volunteers. These volunteers are known as Positive Space Ambassadors, and they are either part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community or allies. They:

• provide confidential, judgment-free support
• serve as advocates for inclusivity and respect
• help connect employees with relevant internal and external support resources

The Positive Space Initiative includes:

• a directory of Ambassador contacts
• active promotion through internal channels
• a dedicated internal web page that is available to all employees

This webpage brings together key learning tools and supports in one place. These include: 

• Agora's 2SLGBTQ+ National course
• the Canada School of Public Service's 2SLGBTQI+ Learning Path
• the RCMP Guide to Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary and Two-Spirit Employees
• networks including:
  • the RCMP Pride Network
  • the TNB2S Mentor Network
  • the Public Service Pride Network Gender Expression and Identity Committee
• mental health and community resources 
• guidance on inclusive language to help foster respectful and affirming communication

Ambassadors have access to a comprehensive toolkit and reference materials to support their role. To ensure consistency and quality, volunteers must complete Canada School of Public Service training before becoming Ambassadors. This training helps strengthen inclusive practices within the organization.

The initiative works in alignment with other RCMP efforts, including those led by:

• the Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Secretariat
• the Pride Network
• Divisions, nationwide

Together, these reinforce the RCMP's Core Values of taking responsibility, showing respect, serving with excellence, demonstrating compassion, and acting with integrity.

In addition, the RCMP continues to promote awareness and education through the observance of key commemorative and awareness days, including:

• International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
• Public Service Pride Week
• Transgender Awareness Week
• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
• Transgender Day of Remembrance, among others

The RCMP delivers presentations and participates in events such as guest speaker sessions, Pride flag raisings, and community Pride parades. These activities aim to increase employee knowledge, understanding, respect and inclusion of all intersectional identities.

Finally, the RCMP is currently reviewing its Guide to Supporting Two Spirit, Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Employees. This guide aims to enhance support for these employees, while highlighting the role all RCMP employees play in fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

The Positive Space Initiative responds to Call for Justice 18.13 by providing key learning tool and supports to improve the workplace of 2SLGBTQI+ people within the RCMP, including promotion and awareness of education on homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. The work of the Positive Space Initiative narrative is explicit about the Force’s participation in the federal LGBT Purge and the resulting loss of trust. By centering accountability and committing to reform, the RCMP is acknowledging that historical bias and systemic discrimination shape current relationships with marginalized communities, including Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Creates a visible record of institutional accountability: The public webpage names historical discrimination and explains the reforms that are underway. This helps make the RCMP's commitments traceable over time. This supports transparency and enables external scrutiny by communities, partners, and oversight bodies
• Supports rebuilding trust by recognizing harms: By documenting the RCMP's role in discriminatory practices and naming impacts, the web page helps show that these past harms are being acknowledged rather than minimized. 
• Supports consistent learning and culture change: Bringing together training, policy updates, and workplace initiatives in one place helps employees understand shared expectations for respectful conduct and service delivery. It also gives employees a clear reference point for what the organization says it is changing

The implementation of Positive Space Initiative aligns with the RCMP’s Core values and serves as example of the organization’s commitment to ensuring a workplace culture that is healthy, inclusive and trusted by RCMP employees. The Chief Human Resources Office did not receive funding for this initiative as it is part of the responsibilities under its programs dedicated to advancing Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policies, strategies and programs.

The SRHF provided:

• $403,602 ($221,652 allocated to fiscal year 2025-2026) to the Canadian Association of Pharmacists' project to develop a comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health care toolkit for pharmacists on abortion, contraception, fertility, and broader supports care for Indigenous and Two-Spirit patients
  • The project will partner with the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada to increase access to culturally appropriate care by ensuring the toolkit addresses the unique health system navigation needs of Indigenous individuals, applicable to the Non-Insured Health Benefit program
  • Led by an advisory board of experts and people with lived experience, the project will conduct needs assessments, implement awareness building campaigns, and develop multi-lingual culturally appropriate sexual and reproductive health resources and content
• $442,713 ($223,713 allocated to fiscal year 2025-2026) to Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour's project to improve sexual and reproductive health access for Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities in British Columbia and Alberta by providing essential and culturally relevant information to facilitate informed decision-making
  • Evidence-based project activities guided by an advisory working group of subject matter experts and people with lived experience include trainings, workshops, monthly conversation cafes and community outreach
• $171,854 ($85,002 allocated to fiscal year 2025-2026) to Northern Birthwork Collective's (under the care of Makeway Charitable Society) project to address challenges faced by individuals seeking abortion services in the Northwest Territories through on-call birthworkers that provide comprehensive abortion and health system navigation support. Northern Birthwork Collective's project is designed to provide holistic support through additional financial assistance for medical escorts, community outreach and education
  • Project activities are guided by a steering committee of people with lived experience, Indigenous Elders and birthworkers to ensure the project remains culturally safer and grounded in Indigenous values and traditions
• $747,870 ($362,717 allocated to fiscal year 2025-2026) to the project led in partnership between the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC), the Partnership for Women's Health Research, and Ganawishkadawe - The Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health, to reduce barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care among Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities
  • Project activities are aimed at improving digital literacy, and fostering confidence in navigating an increasingly complex information landscape
  • In collaboration with these underserved communities and subject matter experts, the project will co-create sexual and reproductive health information and resources and distribute them through social media campaigns and in-person community events
• $728,305 ($224,094 allocated to fiscal year 2025-2026) to the Canadian Association of Midwives' (in partnership with the National Council of Indigenous Midwives) project that works towards the goal of reproductive health equity for all
  • It is addressing the needs of underserved communities in Canada by developing professional development training for midwives, as well as developing culturally relevant tools and public awareness campaigns to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health services for underserved populations including immigrant populations, racialized people, 2SLGBTQI+ clients, and women and youth in rural and remote communities
• $966,884 ($327,758 allocated to fiscal year 2025-2026) to the Endometriosis Network Canada's (in partnership with Moon Time Connections) project with the goal of building a better future for the next generation of Canadians living with endometriosis
  • The project supports youth through accessible resources, digital tools, and outreach activities that are developed and distributed in close collaboration with youth to increase the capacity of youth living with endometriosis to better navigate their access to care
• $860,078 ($257,909 allocated to fiscal year 2025-2026) to Fertility Matters Canada's (in partnership with ParriagGroup) project to improve access to fertility care and assisted human reproduction for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ communities
  • The project supports the development, publication and dissemination of an online tool that will help people understand and navigate fertility information and care by asking a series of simple questions
  • This will help them prepare for conversations with their health care provider and facilitate shared decision making

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund responds to Call for Justice 18.18 by providing funding for up to three projects. These projects will develop culturally appropriate information and educational resources on abortion, contraception, gender-inclusive care and fertility for midwives, pharmacists, and other health and service providers.

• Improves access to timely sexual and reproductive health care for underserved populations: By funding community-based projects, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund reduces practical barriers to care (for example, navigation supports, service outreach, and travel-related supports where applicable), improving access to contraception, abortion-related information and supports, and other services for those facing systemic barriers, including Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
• Expands culturally appropriate, Indigenous-centered information and services: Funding for Indigenous-focused projects strengthens access to culturally relevant resources and supports for sexual and reproductive health care, which reflect community priorities and distinctions-based contexts and support safer pathways to care for Indigenous families and survivors impacted by the MMIWG2S+ crisis
• Strengthens Indigenous-led capacity and community control in health service delivery: By supporting Indigenous-led projects and Indigenous-led third-party organizations, the Fund increases community capacity to co-design and deliver initiatives that are grounded in Indigenous governance, local knowledge, and community-defined needs, advancing longer-term self-determined approaches to health programming
• Improves provider knowledge and service quality through targeted education and training: Provider-facing resources and training (including for midwives, pharmacists, and other health and service providers) support more consistent, culturally safer, and gender-inclusive sexual and reproductive health R care, helping to reduce harms linked to stigma, misinformation, and discriminatory service experiences
• Supports Inuit-relevant maternal and reproductive care pathways where projects align: The Fund supports projects that strengthen access to midwifery, birthworker, and pharmacist-related supports can contribute to improved access for Inuit, particularly where projects are tailored to northern and remote service realities and strengthen culturally appropriate care options
• Centers 2SLGBTQI+ community guidance to improve cultural safety and program relevance: By funding projects that engage 2SLGBTQI+ communities to guide design and implementation, the Fund strengthens community-informed approaches to a range of sexual and reproductive health programs, including initiatives that address misinformation and barriers affecting both 2SLGBTQI+ and Indigenous communities
• Improves the evidence base for equitable sexual and reproductive health access: The Fund's investments that support data collection and knowledge-building help identify service gaps and effective community-based approaches, strengthening accountability for addressing inequities in access over time, including inequities experienced by Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ communities

Since it was established, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund has received $81 million in federal investments to support community-based projects. For 2025-2026 to 2027, it is receiving an additional $10 million annually. As of 2027 to 2028, it will have $20 million per year ongoing. In 2025-2026, $12.6 million has been allocated to the Government of Quebec and 24 newly funded projects. Up to $1.7 million is allocated to six projects that will contribute to the federal Calls to Justice.

• Edmonton 2 Spirit Society received $200,000 for the Thrive Initiative: Building Capacity for Sustainable Growth, a two-year organizational strengthening project focused on governance, planning, and long-term sustainability
• $150,000 was provided to Esquao: Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples for Beyond Consultation to Full Participation in Decision-making for Indigenous Women in Alberta, a five-year initiative focused on strengthening Indigenous women’s leadership and participation in governance
• Cercle autochtone LGBTQ2S+ (Indigiqueer Circle of Quebec) received $100,000 for Rooting our 2S+ Kin (Enraciner nos proches 2S+) to strengthen organizational capacity, governance, and sustainability
• Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) received $472,000 to advance Métis-led, gender-responsive policy development and engagement
• The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association received $206,350 to support Restoring Indigenous Women’s Space and Place in Nova Scotia Governance, including a core allocation and a final-year top-up under a multi-year initiative
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada received $311,500 for the second and final year of the Pauktuutit Leadership Development Project, a two-year capacity-building initiative focused on Board leadership
• Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women's Association received $110,400 to complete the Food Security in Nunavut project examining food access and affordability
• Infinity Women Secretariat received $174,091 for Enhancing Engagement, Consultation & Advocacy Capacity to Support Red River Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, now in its fourth year

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 18.18 by strengthening the leadership, governance, policy capacity, and training readiness of Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations so they can shape how institutions, service systems, and decision-makers understand and respond to the realities and distinctive needs of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people. public/communications campaigns on 2SLGBTQI+ issues. The initiative’s Terms and Conditions and public program materials explicitly support policy, research, knowledge-generation, training and advocacy by Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations. It funds projects with activities that explicitly address 2SLGBTQI+ history, roles, teachings, deliver training on 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion and anti-oppression and run public/communications campaigns on 2SLGBTQI+ issues.

This initiative advances a core expectation of CFJ 18.18 by ensuring that Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations are better positioned to inform, design, and deliver culturally grounded, distinctions-based, and inclusion-focused approaches to policy, services, and organizational training. This is particularly relevant to the Call’s requirement that 2SLGBTQI+ people be involved in the design and delivery of training, as the program directly funds Indigenous-led organizations to develop governance tools, training teams, engagement processes, and policy frameworks grounded in their own priorities and knowledge systems.

• Grassroots, self-determined priorities drive action: Funds Indigenous-led grassroots engagement that brings community-identified needs and priorities, especially those of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, into policy and decision-making across governments
• Stronger representation in governance and decision-making: Strengthens the presence and influence of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in governance at community, regional, and national levels through Indigenous-led engagement and consultation
• Reduced exclusion through systems change: Supports Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to identify and advance recommendations that address sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political and policy environments, helping reduce social, economic, cultural, and political exclusion
• Sustained capacity for advocacy and collaboration: Builds organizational capacity for Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations to engage communities, collaborate effectively with all levels of government, and advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence
• Leadership and network development: Supports mentorship, training, peer networks, gatherings, and advocacy activities that strengthen leadership pathways for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking to participate in political life
• Sustainable, culturally relevant prevention and awareness work: Enables consistent, community-informed violence prevention and awareness initiatives by strengthening the ability of Indigenous-led organizations to design, deliver, and disseminate culturally relevant programming
• Inuit-specific distinctions-based impacts: Addresses systemic barriers limiting Inuit women's and 2SLGBTQI+ participation in governance and supports Inuit priorities through long-term, sustainable funding
• Métis-specific distinctions-based impacts: Enables Métis perspectives to inform policy, service delivery, and decision-making, including dedicated funding for Métis organizations to develop community-driven, culturally specific programs and policy approaches

The Government invests approximately $8 million annually to support this program.

In 2025, CSC revised the inmate and offender handbook templates to include a dedicated section on gender diverse individuals. This section underscores CSC’s commitment to equity and inclusion by ensuring that placement and accommodation decisions consider gender identity and integrate the Indigenous social history of Indigenous gender diverse individuals. This is important because it recognizes the key intersection of gender and cultural identity.

• Updated Oct 3, 2025: The Policy Bulletin 704 aligns property rules with the Canadian Human Rights Act and Bill C-16. It removes medical authorization for gendered personal effects, launches a non-binary national property list, and notes the Gender Diverse Offenders: Decision-Making Guide for staff.

Commissioner’s Directive 100, Gender Diverse Offenders as well as the Gender Diverse Offenders: A Decision-Making Guide, and the 2SLGBTQI+ Responsivity Resource Kit responds to Call for Justice 18.21. They mandate current, mandatory training on gender identity and expression for all staff, addressing misgendering risks, and providing practical guidance on key areas of accommodation for gender diverse offenders.

• Clear, enforceable expectations for dignity and accommodation: Commissioner's Directive 100 and related policies make accommodations part of standard practice. This includes using peoples' chosen names and pronouns, using respectful language, and privacy protections. These measures help reduce arbitrary treatment and support safer day-to-day interactions for gender-diverse people.
• Safer, individualized placement and living conditions: Placement in institutions that match a person's gender identity and expression helps reduce the risk of harassment, violence, and discrimination for gender diverse people in custody. When exceptions are considered, decisions are based on the person's individual preferences and must be clearly documented.
• Practical tools that strengthen staff capacity: The Decision-Making Guide and 2SLGBTQI+ Responsivity Resource Kit translate policy into actionable steps for Parole Officers, Program Officers, and institutional staff. These tools improve confidence and consistency when accommodations are applied in complex files
• Standardized safeguards through individualized protocols: The requirement to create and maintain an Individualized Protocol for each gender diverse offender, when requested, helps set clear protections for each gender-diverse offender. This can include procedures for searches, showers and toilets, urinalysis, names and pronouns, and privacy around gender and sex information. These protections support more predictable, safer procedures throughout a person's sentence
• Stronger institutional accountability over time: Compliance and Operational Risk Reporting creates a structured mechanism to monitor implementation, identify gaps, and manage risks, and supports continuous improvements, rather than treating the policy as a one-time change

Operational costs are covered through internal resource allocations.

Future Correctional Service Canada research will continue to examine the characteristics and experiences of gender diverse offenders throughout their sentence.

The "Examination of Gender Diverse Offenders Study" responds to Call for Justice 18.21 by studying systemic challenges faced by gender diverse offenders in correctional settings.

• Establishes an evidence base for corrections reform: Provides the first consolidated quantitative and qualitative profile of gender diverse individuals in federal custody. Creating a baseline to track progress and target reforms over time
• Makes intersecting risks visible, especially for Indigenous people: Helps clarify how gender identity intersects with colonial violence, racism, and overrepresentation in federal custody, by identifying that nearly half of the study population is Indigenous. Supports more culturally grounded and distinctions-based approaches

Initiative costs are covered through internal resource allocations.

In 2025, CSC revised the inmate and offender handbook templates to include a dedicated section on gender diverse individuals. This section underscores CSC’s commitment to equity and inclusion by ensuring that placement and accommodation decisions consider gender identity and integrate the Indigenous social history of Indigenous gender diverse individuals. This is important because it recognizes the key intersection of gender and cultural identity.

• Updated Oct 3, 2025: The Policy Bulletin 704 aligns property rules with the Canadian Human Rights Act and Bill C-16. It removes medical authorization for gendered personal effects, launches a non-binary national property list, and notes the Gender Diverse Offenders: Decision-Making Guide for staff.

Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 100, Gender Diverse Offenders as well as the Gender Diverse Offenders: A Decision-Making Guide, and the 2SLGBTQI+ Responsivity Resource Kit responds to Call for Justice 18.22. It provides dedicated supports and actively promotes equity, respect, and inclusion for gender diverse individuals in federal custody. Through these efforts, policy leadership, individualized accommodations, inclusive placement practices, culturally responsive considerations, and staff training reflect CSC’s commitment to human rights.

• Clear, enforceable expectations for dignity and accommodation: Commissioner's Directive 100 and related policies make accommodations part of standard practice. This includes using peoples' chosen names and pronouns, using respectful language, and privacy protections. These measures help reduce arbitrary treatment and support safer day-to-day interactions for gender-diverse people.
• Safer, individualized placement and living conditions: Placement in institutions that match a person's gender identity and expression helps reduce the risk of harassment, violence, and discrimination for gender diverse people in custody. When exceptions are considered, decisions are based on the person's individual preferences and must be clearly documented.
• Practical tools that strengthen staff capacity: The Decision-Making Guide and 2SLGBTQI+ Responsivity Resource Kit translate policy into actionable steps for Parole Officers, Program Officers, and institutional staff. These tools improve confidence and consistency when accommodations are applied in complex files
• Standardized safeguards through individualized protocols: The requirement to create and maintain an Individualized Protocol for each gender diverse offender, when requested, helps set clear protections for each gender-diverse offender. This can include procedures for searches, showers and toilets, urinalysis, names and pronouns, and privacy around gender and sex information. These protections support more predictable, safer procedures throughout a person's sentence
• Stronger institutional accountability over time: Compliance and Operational Risk Reporting creates a structured mechanism to monitor implementation, identify gaps, and manage risks, and supports continuous improvements, rather than treating the policy as a one-time change

Operational costs are covered through internal resource allocations.

The Gender Considerations Secretariat responds to Call for Justice 18.22 by providing policy leadership that actively promotes equity, respect and inclusion for gender diverse individuals in custody. The Secretariat has led the development and implementation of dedicated supports and individualized accommodations, and served a central advisory function. It partially advances the "cultural supports" dimension of the Call for Justice by enabling safe access to Elder-led and Indigenous cultural services.

Operational costs are covered through internal resource allocations.

In 2025, all regions completed a self-assessment against the Health Standards Organization (HSO) Correctional Service Canada Standards to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. The results of these assessments will be used over the next one to two years to:

• develop quality improvement action plans, in collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders
• to address identified gaps in health services delivery
• to demonstrate a continued commitment to providing quality and safe care

CSC’s Health Services Standards responds to part of Call for Justice 18.22 by reinforcing the commitment to inclusive, equitable, and professionally accredited care for all individuals, including gender-diverse populations. The Call is advanced as the Standards require health services in CSC institutions to meet minimum standards of care, including considerations for gender-diverse individuals. To fully respond to Call for Justice 18.22, CSC would need site-level, dedicated 2SLGBTQI+ services and cultural supports with clear resourcing, staffing (for example, Two-Spirit/Indigenous cultural workers), and performance measures audited through accreditation.

• Set equity and rights expectations for care: The new correctional health standard requires equity-based, people-centred care and codifies "client rights," mental-health/addictions care, and culturally safe practices
• Require adherence to professionally accepted standards + external accreditation: A CSC directive commits to provide care consistent with legislation and professionally accepted standards and to monitor quality. CSC health services are accredited by Accreditation Canada/HSO, creating an external lever to audit inclusion and safety
• Embed gender-diverse accommodations in policy: The Commissioner's Directive 100 - Gender Diverse Offenders formalizes individualized protocols that support use of peoples' chosen name and pronouns, placement preferences, staff-gender for procedures. It also supports access to gender-affirming health services (for example, hormones) within the health-care pathway.

As of March 31, 2026, the National Housing Strategy has committed the following funding to Indigenous and northern housing:

• $395.97 million has been conditionally or financially committed through the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative toward the construction of 38 new shelters and 42 new transitional homes. for Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQI+ people escaping gender-based violence
• $138.1 million has been set aside as exclusive funding for Indigenous and Northern housing projects:
  • $25 million toward the repair of 560 units in the existing urban Indigenous community housing stock community housing stock. As of March 31, 2026, $24.96 million has been conditionally or financially committed toward the repair of 572 units
  • $13.1 million committed for 2 emergency shelters in the territories
  • $100 million of exclusive funding, and an additional $35.65 million in Affordable Housing Fund funding has been conditionally or financially committed to support the construction and repair of 383 new units
• Meeting the housing needs of vulnerable Canadians is a priority under the NHS and 2SLGBTQI+ people are identified as a priority group
  • As of March 31, 2026, 178 new units have been committed and 7 repair units committed through the Federal Lands Initiative, Rapid Housing Initiative, and Affordable Housing Fund, and Co-Operative Housing Development Program for 2SLGBTQI+ peoples

The NHS also provides funding exclusively for Indigenous and Northern Housing through NHS bilateral agreements with provinces and territories:

• $200 million is allocated through the Canada Community Housing Initiative delivered by Provinces and Territories under the NHS Bilateral Agreements to support 7,000 units in the existing urban Indigenous community housing stock so they continue to be made available to low-income households
• $300 million is allocated through funding for the Territories, as part of the $617.1 million federal-territorial joint investment delivered by Territories under the NHS Bilateral Agreements

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 18.24 by supporting housing projects that prioritize 2SLGBTQI+ Indigenous individuals but additional targeted funding and expanded programs are needed. The NHS commits to culturally safe, inclusive housing solutions and advocacy for 2SLGBTQI+ rights in housing policy development. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from expanded access to affordable, non-discriminatory housing that fosters safety and belonging.

• Community-led, self-governed housing solutions: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis self-determined policies, including Indigenous-led housing initiatives and Métis governance of shelters and transitional housing
• Expanded safe housing access: Funding for new construction of homes, multi-unit dwellings, and community-led housing projects, and for upgrades and repairs to ensure existing housing stock meets safety, sustainability, and accessibility standards
• Expansion of emergency and transitional shelters: Committed funding towards the construction of new shelters and new transitional homes for Indigenous women, families, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals
• Prioritizing vulnerable populations: Safe, stable housing for women, children, seniors, and those at risk of homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking
• Long-term housing and economic security: Investments in transitional and second-stage housing, rental assistance, and affordable housing for low-income Indigenous families
• Preventing family separation and child welfare interventions: Housing programs that provide stability for Indigenous families, reducing the risk of child apprehension due to poverty, overcrowding, or unsafe living conditions
• 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive housing solutions: Culturally informed shelters, affordable housing, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals facing housing insecurity
• Increased housing for Inuit communities: Funding for housing units led by Inuit governing bodies
• Economic growth in Inuit Nunangat: Creating jobs through housing construction, maintenance, and homeownership support
• Métis-specific housing investments: Funding for Métis-led shelters, transitional housing projects, and community-driven housing solutions to address homelessness and housing insecurity

The National Housing Strategy reports on projects once a conditional commitment is made, and funding is earmarked. Projects are tracked from this phase to completion, which is when units are built or repaired. Funding is not reported on an annual basis, but cumulatively from program-start.

Further funding details on the NHS can be found in the quarterly progress report updates hosted on Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s website.

Reaching Home has invested approximately $5 billion dollars over nine years (2019-28) to address homelessness across the country. Of this, the Indigenous Homelessness and Distinctions-based Approaches streams received approximately $890 million and $286.9 million respectively. In 2025-2026, these streams saw approximately $110 million (Indigenous Homelessness stream) and $43.9 million (Distinctions-based Approaches stream) invested. In 2025-2026, significant progress has continued to occur in advancing distinctions-based partnerships. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) worked with First Nations on a regional basis to negotiate and implement agreements that support and honour First Nations processes, autonomy, and self-determination while recognizing regional differences and competing priorities. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) also continued its collaboration with Métis, Inuit, and Modern Treaty partners on the implementation of Reaching Home. Additionally, in 2025-2026, funding flowed through new agreements with Self-Governing First Nations and Modern Treaty Holders including:

• Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation
• shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation
• Ka:yu:'k't'h' / Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations
• Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet) First Nation
• Huu ay aht First Nations
• Toquaht Nation
• Uchucklesaht Tribe Government

Reaching Home also aligns with the broader goals of the National Housing Strategy, which seeks to improve access to safe, stable, and affordable housing across Canada. Through long-term funding commitments and partnerships with Indigenous governments and organizations, the program aims to reduce chronic homelessness, strengthen housing security, and promote social and economic stability for Indigenous individuals and families.

Reaching Home responds to part of Call for Justice 18.24 by funding housing programs that help to reduce homelessness by supporting community-based solutions that provide safe and affirming spaces. Reaching Home provides specific funding to support culturally appropriate approaches to addressing homelessness for Indigenous Peoples through the Indigenous Homelessness and Distinctions-based Approaches funding streams. Reaching Home’s community-based approach provides flexibility to respond to local challenges and priorities and funding can be used to support a wide range of activities, which can include the design and delivery of targeted programming to meet the needs of at-risk populations such as 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from increased access to housing that respects gender identity, safety, and cultural identity.

• Community-driven, culturally relevant approach: Funding decisions are made locally, prioritizing Indigenous-led initiatives that incorporate traditional knowledge, healing practices, and language supports
• Holistic housing solutions: Investments in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and long-term housing security for vulnerable populations, including Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and families fleeing violence
• Economic and social empowerment: Programs connect individuals to income supports, employment services, and education, reducing poverty-related risks and supporting self-sufficiency
• Family and child welfare support: Indigenous-led programs can strengthen family unity, prevent child welfare interventions, and provide culturally appropriate services to keep families together
• Inclusive and culturally responsive services: Reaching Home can be used to fund wraparound supports, including culturally appropriate services and connection with community (for example, cultural ceremonies, traditional healing, services provided by Elders and Indigenous language and culture classes)
• Infrastructure and capacity development: Sustainable investments in housing, support services, and safe spaces
• Targeted investments for vulnerable populations: Reaching Home funded communities are encouraged to prioritize vulnerable populations including Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and families fleeing violence
• Inuit-specific housing and economic initiatives: Investment in Inuit-led housing projects to prevent displacement and support economic development through employment and education opportunities tailored to Inuit communities
• Preservation of Inuit culture and language: Programs ensuring access to Inuit cultural and linguistic resources, strengthening identity and connection to traditions

In 2025-2026, $110 million was allocated to the Indigenous Homelessness stream and $43.9 million to the Distinctions-based Approaches stream. This includes dedicated funding for Indigenous-led homelessness programming that can support a range of services, support and resources for wraparound services, emergency housing, prevention services, and long-term housing solutions.

UPIP provided funding to urban Indigenous organizations delivering culturally relevant programs and services across Canada in 2025-2026. Examples of funding projects and partner organizations are available on the Government of Canada website at:

• Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples: Programs and services funded projects
• Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples: Organizational capacity funded organizations

Projects funded through the 2023-2025 call for proposals continued to be funded through the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

UPIP responds to part of Call for Justice 18.24 by funding Indigenous-led organizations in urban centres, and rural and northern hub communities, to deliver culturally safe supports that can address homelessness and socio-economic barriers experienced by Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people.

UPIP's programs and services stream can resource community defined wellness supports, outreach, transition and navigation services, and programming for vulnerable populations. This can improve access to safer services and pathways to stability.

UPIP's housing stream supports Indigenous housing projects, including purchases, new construction, repairs, and renovations. This can strengthen the availability and quality of housing related supports delivered through Indigenous organizations.

UPIP's organizational capacity and infrastructure streams can further support the staffing and provide the safe, accessible spaces needed to operate shelters, to provide transitional supports, and to offer wellness programming where these services are delivered by funded organizations.

Alignment with the Call for Justice is partial because the extent to which funded organizations operate shelter and transitional housing models, and the consistency of inclusion measures tailored to Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people, varies across organizations and regions. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from improved access to culturally safe housing related supports and wellness services that can reduce immediate vulnerability and strengthen safety and stability for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people in urban settings.

• Indigenous-led urban service delivery capacity: Funds more than 120 Indigenous organizations, including Friendship Centres, Métis organizations, and Inuit service providers. This strengthens consistent service delivery in urban centres and in rural and northern hub communities
• Immediate safety and culturally safe supports: Expands access to outreach, transition and navigation services, and community defined wellness programming that responds to heightened risks of violence, homelessness, and exclusion for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in cities
• Housing stability and safer pathways out of homelessness: Supports Indigenous housing projects, including purchases, new construction, repairs, and renovations. This improves access to housing related supports for people who are homeless, near homeless, or fleeing violence
• Safer and more accessible service spaces: Invests in infrastructure upgrades that increase capacity and strengthen safety, security, and accessibility of service delivery facilities. This helps organizations deliver programming in safer environments and respond to increased demand
• Social and economic security supports: Funds community defined youth programming, mentoring, transition supports, and pre-employment activities that strengthen pathways to education, skills development, and employment, particularly for populations experiencing heightened vulnerability.
• Coordinated and evidence informed urban programming: Supports local coalitions and research and innovation to identify priorities, strengthen coordination, gather promising practices, and pilot new approaches that improve urban Indigenous service delivery over time

• Approximately $91.1 million was invested through UPIP in 2025-2026 to support urban Indigenous service delivery organizations providing culturally relevant programs, services, and community-based initiatives across Canada including:
  • $27.5 million in ongoing annual program funding
  • $33.6 million in one-year renewal funding to address sunsetting pressures in 2025-2026
  • And the final year of the $60 million provided in Budget 2024 to support Friendship Centres over two years
• UPIP received a funding decision in March 2026, of $168 million over 5 years to enhance the on-going direct service delivery model through the National Association of Friendship Centres and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres. This funding is in addition to the ongoing annual program funding; this funding is intended to provide additional support to the Friendship Centre Movement under the Organizational Capacity and Programs and Services funding streams

To ensure that ARCH findings are shared broadly and to support ongoing efforts in communities across Canada to reduce and prevent homelessness, a series of Community Snapshots and practical resources has been uploaded to the Homelessness Learning Hub.

View information here: Homelessness Learning Hub - Action Research on Chronic Homelessness Initiative

The Community Snapshots showcase the key insights of each project, including barriers identified to addressing homelessness, prototypes/pilots of adaptable and/or scalable community-led solutions, and promising practices to inform homelessness planning, programming, and research. As further insights evolve from the projects in the ARCH initiative, the landing page will be updated to reflect emerging promising practices from the ARCH projects.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 18.25 by supporting research that identifies housing and service needs for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals experiencing homelessness. Several ARCH projects include interviews with 2SLGBTQI+ individuals to understand their lived experiences and barriers to housing. Findings from these interviews are intended to help inform policy and service adjustments that improve access to culturally safe housing solutions. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from this program through the development of more inclusive housing policies and services that address the unique needs of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

• Increased access to culturally safe housing services:
  • Expanding low-barrier, Indigenous-led, and trauma-informed housing supports to reduce risks of homelessness and exploitation, that are culturally safe and respect the traditional values of for Indigenous individuals at risk of homelessness.
  • Ensures Indigenous adults and youth receive services that respect their identity and lived experiences
• Youth-specific housing solutions: Enhances targeted housing supports for Indigenous youth transitioning from care to independent living. Reduces risk factors contributing to youth homelessness
• Community-led solutions and improved collaboration: Empowering Indigenous organizations to lead interventions tailored to their unique realities. Increasing coordination between Indigenous communities, housing providers, and government agencies to remove systemic barriers
• System alignment and change: Helping to address systemic gaps by integrating and facilitating better coordination between housing services and health care, child welfare, and justice systems
• Policy and service adjustments: Uses research findings to inform the development of housing policies that are inclusive, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed, yielding more responsive housing supports. Identifies long-term solutions to prevent homelessness through research and policy recommendations
• Enhanced inclusivity in housing services: Improves recognition of 2SLGBTQI+ specific housing needs. Ensures that Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ individuals have access to culturally safe and affirming housing options
• Safe spaces and community engagement: Supports Indigenous-led initiatives that create housing environments that respect diverse identities and lived experiences.Encourages the development of housing services that respect diverse identities. Centers the voices of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in homelessness solutions

Investments from 2022 allocated $11 million over three years, starting in 2023-2024. While ARCH projects wrapped up in March 31, 2025, three projects were extended to allow time to complete activities and test new ideas. A total of $420,774 was committed in 2025-2026.

The ICIF – Métis Component responds to Call for Justice 18.25 by providing investments that Métis partners can use to construct Métis-focused facilities that establish and fund safe spaces, shelters, and services for Métis 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in their communities. This initiative provides support for Métis 2SLGBTQI+ individuals to access culturally appropriate infrastructure that enhances their well-being, safety, and community belonging.

Métis families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program through increased access to safe, culturally appropriate spaces that enhance well-being and security for vulnerable community members.

• Creation of safe spaces: Funds the development of facilities that provide shelter and social services for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and invests in community spaces reflect the diversity and needs of all Métis citizens.
• Enhanced community support: Funds infrastructure projects that facilitate culturally appropriate programming.
• Long-term stability: Supports the development of infrastructure that ensures long-term access to safe environments.

The ICIF – Métis Component provides flexible distinctions-based funding to Métis governments and the Metis Settlements General Council to allocate resources in response to community-identified priorities. As a result, the specific impacts and project details remain with the funding recipients, who determine how best to meet the infrastructure needs in their communities.

Funding has been allocated to support critical infrastructure projects and respond to the housing needs of the communities, with investments made in housing repairs and renovations, and improvements to community gathering spaces. Detailed examples are not provided in this report due to the autonomous and community-led nature of project implementation. This approach aligns with the principle of self-determination, ensuring that Métis governance structures have full authority over decision-making processes.

2021 investments allocated $200 million to five Métis governments and $40 million to the Metis Settlements General Council, prioritizing housing initiatives. Funding is administered with flexibility, to enable Métis governments to tailor investments to their communities' specific housing needs.

Distinctions-based housing funding continues to be delivered to Métis organizations through flexible, multi-year contribution funding agreements for Métis-led housing delivery leading to new and improved housing.

The distinctions-based Métis housing investments respond to Call for Justice 18.25 by prioritizing the construction of housing that meets the needs of all Métis people, including those facing homelessness. It includes the creation of dedicated shelters and services for Métis 2SLGBTQI+ people. Families, survivors, and Métis communities benefit from increased housing security and inclusive supports that uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals.

• Improved housing availability: Increased access to safe and affordable housing for Métis communities. Construction and renovation of 2,025 new units, directly addressing urgent housing needs in Métis communities
• Enhanced living conditions: Improved energy efficiency and longevity of existing housing, with renovations completed on 7,918 dwellings, leading to healthier, safer living environments
• Cultural relevance and safety: Construction of new housing that aligns with Métis-led design and priorities resulting in culturally appropriate housing solutions aligned with local needs
• Economic empowerment:
  • Support for economic and social stability through improved housing access
  • Providing down payment assistance for homeownership to 2,809 families, enhancing economic security and independence
  • Rent subsidies provided to 12,049 families, reducing housing insecurity and financial stress
• Improved and healthy living conditions: Improved energy efficiency and longevity of existing housing, with renovations completed on 7,918 dwellings, leading to healthier, safer living environments
• Reduced homelessness: Strengthened community-led solutions to address housing disparities, that may result in a reduction in homelessness and overcrowding
• Housing for vulnerable populations: Increased availability of housing solutions for Métis individuals facing homelessness, and creating of dedicated shelters and services to meet the specific needs of gender-diverse individuals
• Self-determined housing priorities and solutions: Strengthened self-determination through Métis governance of housing programs and Métis-led responses to homelessness, fostering long-term stability and support systems

Funding has been allocated to respond to the housing needs of communities, by investing in the construction and purchase of new housing units, renovation of existing housing units, and subsidized rent. Detailed examples are not provided in this report due to the autonomous and community-led nature of project implementation. This approach aligns with the principle of self-determination, providing Métis governance structures with authority over decision-making processes.

As of March 2025, $921,250,131 has been invested, directly impacted thousands of Métis individuals and families through improved housing and economic support measures.

Through ongoing investments, Métis organizations have received targeted and distinctions-based housing investments. 2022 saw expanded funding to additional Métis partners (for example, Metis Settlements in Alberta and Métis in the Northwest Territories); funding in 2023 included the Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy; and Budget 2024 provided additional funding for housing and infrastructure needs. As of March 2025, these funding investments have directly impacted thousands of Métis individuals and families through improved housing and economic support measures.

As of March 31, 2026, the National Housing Strategy has committed the following funding to Indigenous and northern housing:

• $395.97 million has been conditionally or financially committed through the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative toward the construction of 38 new shelters and 42 new transitional homes. for Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQI+ people escaping gender-based violence
• $138.1 million has been set aside as exclusive funding for Indigenous and Northern housing projects:
  • $25 million toward the repair of 560 units in the existing urban Indigenous community housing stock community housing stock. As of March 31, 2026, $24.96 million has been conditionally or financially committed toward the repair of 572 units
  • $13.1 million committed for 2 emergency shelters in the territories
  • $100 million of exclusive funding, and an additional $35.65 million in Affordable Housing Fund funding has been conditionally or financially committed to support the construction and repair of 383 new units
• Meeting the housing needs of vulnerable Canadians is a priority under the NHS and 2SLGBTQI+ people are identified as a priority group
  • As of March 31, 2026, 178 new units have been committed and 7 repair units committed through the Federal Lands Initiative, Rapid Housing Initiative, and Affordable Housing Fund, and Co-Operative Housing Development Program for 2SLGBTQI+ peoples

The NHS also provides funding exclusively for Indigenous and Northern Housing through NHS bilateral agreements with provinces and territories:

• $200 million is allocated through the Canada Community Housing Initiative delivered by Provinces and Territories under the NHS Bilateral Agreements to support 7,000 units in the existing urban Indigenous community housing stock so they continue to be made available to low-income households
• $300 million is allocated through funding for the Territories, as part of the $617.1 million federal-territorial joint investment delivered by Territories under the NHS Bilateral Agreements

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 18.25 by directly funding 2SLGBTQI+-led housing initiatives and ensuring safe, supportive housing for 2SLGBTQI+ Indigenous individuals. Investments include funding for 2SLGBTQI+ specific projects, emergency shelters, and long-term housing solutions. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from expanded access to housing that fosters safety, identity, and community belonging.

• Community-led, self-governed housing solutions: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis self-determined policies, including Indigenous-led housing initiatives and Métis governance of shelters and transitional housing
• Expanded safe housing access: Funding for new construction of homes, multi-unit dwellings, and community-led housing projects, and for upgrades and repairs to ensure existing housing stock meets safety, sustainability, and accessibility standards
• Expansion of emergency and transitional shelters: Committed funding towards the construction of new shelters and new transitional homes for Indigenous women, families, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals
• Prioritizing vulnerable populations: Safe, stable housing for women, children, seniors, and those at risk of homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking
• Long-term housing and economic security: Investments in transitional and second-stage housing, rental assistance, and affordable housing for low-income Indigenous families
• Preventing family separation and child welfare interventions: Housing programs that provide stability for Indigenous families, reducing the risk of child apprehension due to poverty, overcrowding, or unsafe living conditions
• 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive housing solutions: Culturally informed shelters, affordable housing, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals facing housing insecurity
• Increased housing for Inuit communities: Funding for housing units led by Inuit governing bodies
• Economic growth in Inuit Nunangat: Creating jobs through housing construction, maintenance, and homeownership support
• Métis-specific housing investments: Funding for Métis-led shelters, transitional housing projects, and community-driven housing solutions to address homelessness and housing insecurity

The National Housing Strategy reports on projects once a conditional commitment is made, and funding is earmarked. Projects are tracked from this phase to completion, which is when units are built or repaired. Funding is not reported on an annual basis, but cumulatively from program-start.

Further funding details on the NHS can be found in the quarterly progress report updates hosted on Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s website.

Reaching Home has invested approximately $5 billion dollars over nine years (2019-28) to address homelessness across the country. Of this, the Indigenous Homelessness and Distinctions-based Approaches streams received approximately $890 million and $286.9 million respectively. In 2025-2026, these streams saw approximately $110 million (Indigenous Homelessness stream) and $43.9 million (Distinctions-based Approaches stream) invested. In 2025-2026, significant progress has continued to occur in advancing distinctions-based partnerships. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) worked with First Nations on a regional basis to negotiate and implement agreements that support and honour First Nations processes, autonomy, and self-determination while recognizing regional differences and competing priorities. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) also continued its collaboration with Métis, Inuit, and Modern Treaty partners on the implementation of Reaching Home. Additionally, in 2025-2026, funding flowed through new agreements with Self-Governing First Nations and Modern Treaty Holders including:

• Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation
• shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation
• Ka:yu:'k't'h' / Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations
• Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet) First Nation
• Huu ay aht First Nations
• Toquaht Nation
• Uchucklesaht Tribe Government

Reaching Home also aligns with the broader goals of the National Housing Strategy, which seeks to improve access to safe, stable, and affordable housing across Canada. Through long-term funding commitments and partnerships with Indigenous governments and organizations, the program aims to reduce chronic homelessness, strengthen housing security, and promote social and economic stability for Indigenous individuals and families.

Reaching Home responds to part of Call for Justice 18.25 through dedicated funding for culturally appropriate community-led supports that respond to local challenges and priorities in preventing and reducing homelessness, including programming designed to meet the needs of IWG2S+ people. Eligible activities under Reaching Home include capital investments intended to increase the capacity or improve the quality of facilities that address the needs of individuals and families experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness, including those that support culturally appropriate programming for Indigenous individuals and families. Indigenous families, survivors and communities benefit from affirming, accessible housing options that promote dignity and stability.

• Community-driven, culturally relevant approach: Funding decisions are made locally, prioritizing Indigenous-led initiatives that incorporate traditional knowledge, healing practices, and language supports
• Holistic housing solutions: Investments in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and long-term housing security for vulnerable populations, including Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and families fleeing violence
• Economic and social empowerment: Programs connect individuals to income supports, employment services, and education, reducing poverty-related risks and supporting self-sufficiency
• Family and child welfare support: Indigenous-led programs can strengthen family unity, prevent child welfare interventions, and provide culturally appropriate services to keep families together
• Inclusive and culturally responsive services: Reaching Home can be used to fund wraparound supports, including culturally appropriate services and connection with community (for example, cultural ceremonies, traditional healing, services provided by Elders and Indigenous language and culture classes)
• Infrastructure and capacity development: Sustainable investments in housing, support services, and safe spaces
• Targeted investments for vulnerable populations: Reaching Home funded communities are encouraged to prioritize vulnerable populations including Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and families fleeing violence
• Inuit-specific housing and economic initiatives: Investment in Inuit-led housing projects to prevent displacement and support economic development through employment and education opportunities tailored to Inuit communities
• Preservation of Inuit culture and language: Programs ensuring access to Inuit cultural and linguistic resources, strengthening identity and connection to traditions

In 2025-2026, $110 million was allocated to the Indigenous Homelessness stream and $43.9 million to the Distinctions-based Approaches stream. This includes dedicated funding for Indigenous-led homelessness programming that can support a range of services, support and resources for wraparound services, emergency housing, prevention services, and long-term housing solutions.

2024 investments included $62 million over four years (starting in 2025-2026) for Self-Government and Modern Treaty Partners (SGMT) to close the housing and infrastructure gaps within their communities. In 2025-2026, $7 million of this allocation was transferred to SGMTs to support this work. These investments are in addition to the $14.7 million as part of the Urban, Rural, Northern Housing Strategy that was previously announced and continues to flow from.

In addition, Canada and SGIGs have initiated exploratory discussions on housing through the Collaborative Fiscal Policy Development Process. These discussions focused on identifying available data and how to ensure that funding methodologies account for community circumstances.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 18.25 by facilitating community-driven housing solutions, including dedicated spaces 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. Through flexible funding mechanisms, communities can create specialized shelters and services, ensuring inclusivity and addressing the unique needs of marginalized individuals. Families, survivors, and Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations communities benefit significantly from increased access to safe, inclusive, and culturally sensitive housing and support systems.

• Safe and accessible housing: Increased availability of safe, affordable, culturally appropriate, and geographically suitable housing directly addresses immediate safety needs and reduces vulnerability to violence
• Enhanced living conditions: Significant investment in renovations and repairs of existing housing improves physical safety, energy efficiency, and the overall health of community members
• Economic stability and resilience: Increased economic security through addressing housing insecurity, poverty reduction, and promoting sustainable economic development, thus enhancing long-term economic resilience
• Self-determination and community empowerment: Strengthened autonomy through First Nation-led decision-making processes in housing and services, enabling communities to set their own priorities according to local needs and aspirations
• Reduction in homelessness: First Nations may dedicate resources for shelters, transition homes, and housing solutions aimed at reducing homelessness and supporting vulnerable populations, including targeted spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals
• Enhanced cultural safety: First Nations may develop and deliver housing, shelters, and support services that respect and integrate First Nations cultural identities, practices, and values, providing culturally safe environments

Funding has been allocated to support critical infrastructure projects and respond to the housing needs of the communities, by investing in the construction and purchase of new housing units, renovation of existing housing units, and subsidized rent. Detailed examples cannot be provided in this report due to the autonomous and community-led nature of project implementation. This approach aligns with the principle of self-determination, ensuring that Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations retain full authority over decision-making processes.

Through targeted fiscal transfers, Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations receive dedicated funding that is consistent with the agreements in place, aligning with their self-determined priorities. Budget 2024 is expected to deliver $62 million to Self-Government and Modern Treaty Partners (SGMTs), beginning in 2025-2026 until 2028-2029, to close the housing and infrastructure gaps within their communities. $7 million will be transferred to the SGMTs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.