Minister Champagne announces funding to advance equality, and build safer, more inclusive communities across Canada

Press Release

October 29, 2025

In a rapidly changing and more dangerous world, Canada is focused on what we can control. We are building our economy with major projects and millions more homes, we are empowering Canadians with lower costs and new opportunities to help you get ahead, and we are protecting our communities and our country. We cannot control what other nations do, but we can control what we choose to build—and we are building Canada strong.

Building the strongest economy in the G7 requires the full and equal participation of women and gender diverse Canadians. While Canada has made historic progress toward gender equality, incidents of gender-based violence, as well as rising hate and violence targeting 2SLGBTQI+ communities, are a stark reminder that equality and safety must continue to be defended.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced that Budget 2025 will provide new funding to advance equality and inclusion across Canada, ensuring every community benefits from the country’s economic growth.

The increased ongoing funding of $660.5 million over five years for the Department for Women and Gender Equality will ensure sustained progress toward equality and safety for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. This includes:

$382.5 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, with $76.5 million ongoing, to revitalise and stabilise efforts to advance women’s equality in Canada, including by improving women’s and girls’ economic security and participation in leadership roles, for example through the Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund.
$54.6 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, with $10.9 million ongoing, to support 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This includes $7.5 million over five years, with $1.5 million ongoing, for Pride Security.
$223.4 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, with $44.7 million ongoing, to strengthen federal action in response to gender-based violence in support for specific populations who have experienced such violence. This includes Indigenous women and underserved populations.

Ministers Champagne and Valdez also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue the important ongoing work with the provinces and territories to end gender-based violence—including through the current bilateral agreements that enable these jurisdictions to fund essential prevention services and direct support for survivors.

Quotes

“Investing to ensure that women and gender diverse people reach their full potential through equal chances and opportunities is paramount to building the strongest economy in the G7. These investments reflect a long-term commitment to an economy that is both inclusive and fair, one built to endure.”

— The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

“Gender equality is essential to Canada’s success. By investing in women’s leadership, addressing gender-based violence, and supporting 2SLGBTQI+ communities, our government is protecting rights and unlocking potential. When everyone has an equal chance to succeed, Canada becomes stronger, safer, and more prosperous. It’s not just the right thing to do, it builds a strong Canadian economy.”

— The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

“Safety and dignity are the foundation of opportunity. When women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people are safe, communities are stronger, children thrive, and our economy grows. Indigenous women’s organizations have long led this work—with courage, knowledge, and care that too often go unseen. Today’s announcement is about stability and partnership: multi-year, ongoing funding that lets organizations plan for the long term, retain staff, and focus on care.”

— The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick facts

Budget 2025 will be tabled on November 4, 2025.
Established in December 2018 as a catalyst for social change, WAGE has made historic investments to reduce discrimination and help women advance in the workplace. Building on the achievements of Status of Women Canada, WAGE has worked with partners to launch federal strategies that address critical issues impacting women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and it continues to advocate for a future where everyone in Canada can achieve their full potential.
The predictable and stable funding announced today builds on WAGE’s leadership across a range of programs and initiatives, including:
- The Women’s Program, which funds projects that tackle systemic barriers to women’s equality by advancing economic security, leadership, and safety from violence.
- The 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund, which builds the capacity of 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations and networks to protect rights and advance equality across Canada.
- The ongoing funding for Pride Security will help meet requests from the community to help cover the rising costs of security and insurance for Pride festivals which are a result of rising anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate.
- The Gender-Based Violence Program, which supports organizations developing innovative approaches to help survivors, including within Indigenous and underserved populations.