Canada ranked second safest country for LGBTQ+ travel
A new Berkshire Hathaway report names Canada the second-safest destination for LGBTQ+ travelers globally, highlighting the country's legal protections and social acceptance.
Canada has been ranked the second safest country in the world for LGBTQ+ travelers in 2026, according to a report by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection released this week. The ranking reflects legal protections, social attitudes, and infrastructure that make the country welcoming to queer and trans visitors.
The finding comes at a moment when anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policy threats are escalating across North America and globally. Berkshire Hathaway's methodology compiled survey results, documented discrimination and violence statistics, and assessed legal frameworks and enforcement to create the ranking. Canada's spot near the top reflects decades of legal equality work—marriage equality, explicit non-discrimination laws, and a culture of public acceptance in most urban centers.
For Montreal specifically, the city's visible LGBTQ+ community and established infrastructure—including the Village, Pride events, and community organizations—make it a natural draw for visitors seeking a safe, welcoming destination. The report also named Canada among the top safest countries overall for all travelers, not just LGBTQ+ people.
That said, rankings can mask local variation. While urban Canada—Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal—has strong protections and acceptance, more rural regions and smaller towns show different patterns. The report underscores that safety and acceptance aren't uniform across the country, but the overall legal and social framework puts Canada in rare company globally.