Canada at crossroads on LGBTQ+ equality, advocates warn

Canada is facing a critical choice about who belongs and who doesn't, according to Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum. Speaking from Halifax on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Johnstone laid out a stark message: there shouldn't be exceptions to the belief that freedom and equality is for all Canadians.

The timing of her call isn't random. The country is moving through what advocates describe as a moment of deep polarization, one where the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ people are increasingly under scrutiny. Johnstone and other community leaders say they're waiting for Prime Minister Mark Carney to take a stronger, more vocal stance in defending the community—something they feel hasn't materialized with enough force.

This comes as Canada continues to navigate complex conversations about gender identity, sexual orientation, and inclusion across workplaces, schools, and public institutions. The pushback against LGBTQ+ protections has been visible in provincial policy debates and in social media discourse, where questions about trans rights and gender-affirming care have become lightning rods.

For advocates, the issue isn't abstract. It's about whether the country's leadership will actively defend people who've historically faced discrimination, or whether those protections will erode under pressure. Johnstone's message was direct: defend everyone, or stop claiming you believe in equality.

The conversation is far from over. What happens in the coming months will signal whether this moment becomes a turning point toward deeper inclusion or a step backward.