I was almost overwhelmed by the tremendous support from colleagues, Liberal volunteers and, frankly, the whole City of Toronto for the LGBTQ2S community on June 23rd. #Pride2019

We have made great strides in securing legal rights for the LGBTQ2 community in Canada – from enshrining equality rights in the Charter to the passage of the Civil Marriage Act—but the fight to end discrimination is not over and a lot of hard work still needs to be done.

Last June, we passed legislation that provides Canadians with explicit protection from discrimination and hate crimes based on their gender identity or expression. A few months later, we apologized to those harmed by federal legislation, policies, and practices that led to the oppression of and discrimination against LGBTQ2 people in Canada.

On the international stage, Canada continues to advance LGBTQ2 rights. As the current co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), we hosted the 2018 ERC Global Conference on LGBTI Rights and Inclusive Development in Vancouver. Moving forward, our government has committed $30 million in funding over five years, followed by $10 million per year, to support Canadian LGBTQ2 organisations advance human rights and life in general for LGBTQ2 in developing countries.

Today, we rededicate ourselves to a future where every single one of us – regardless of our gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation – is free to be true to who we are and achieve our fullest potential.