Canada continues its commitment to safe & inclusive communities as they are a prominent part of a comfortable life.
Accordingly, as part of its recently released 2024 Budget, the Canadian government has included a list of ongoing actions it is taking to maintain & increase Canadians’ level of confidence that their families will be able to live as well as thrive in safe and inclusive communities.
Note: The following is not a thorough list of Canada’s spending on inclusion & safety.
Canada’s Commitment To Inclusivity
Canada is a nation that has long prided itself on its diversity.
As noted in the most recent federal budget, Canada has welcomed newcomers from around the world for generations. Moreover, these newcomers have worked hard to build a new life in their new country. This is why the government is making communities more inclusive, welcoming, & resilient to all communities.
To that end, the following were the steps that the government is taking to preserve & improve diversity & inclusion across this country.
- Supporting Gender Equality
An investment of over $190 million to enhance accountability & combat abuse, harassment, & maltreatment in sports. Also, according to the federal government, this investment will support gender quality in sports & address barriers to participation, including for racialized people & other equity-deserving groups.
- Fighting Racism In Canada
Since 2018-2019, Canada has invested over $260 million towards Canada’s Anti-Racism strategy, Canada’s action plan on combating hate, & Canada’s race relation foundation to fight racism & hate and ensure that society continues to be strong by Canada’s remarkable diversity.
- Supporting Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Community
Over $150 million have been invested for over ten years to support Canada’s first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ action plan. It is a movement that prioritizes & sustains 2SLGBTQI+ community action and advances & strengthens their rights.
How Canada Is Making Its Communities Safer
Canada continues its commitment to safe & inclusive communities. Well, part of what makes Canada a premier newcomer destination is the perception of the nation that it is a safe place to visit, explore, & live both as a foreign national & Canadian citizen.
Advancing that commitment to safety for visitors & residents alike, the Canadian government indicated that it is taking the following actions to continue making Canada’s communities as safe as possible moving forward.
- Protecting children
- This is a $52 million investment over five years, beginning in 2024-2025, with $2.1 million in remaining amortization, to protect children and all Canadians by subjecting large online platforms to a duty to act responsibly and ensuring that the platforms reduce users’ exposure to harmful content online.
Note: According to the Government of Canada, this investment will also help form a Digital Safety Commission to ensure that this duty is being adequately met. This will include the installation of a digital safety ombudsperson to be a resource & advocate for users & victims of online harm.
- A $2.5 million investment in 2024-2025 to Public Safety Canada. This investment will support the Canadian Center For Child Protection in preventing & responding to online child sexual exploitation.
- An investment of $7.5 million over three years, starting in 2024-2025, to the Public Health Agency of Canada in support of Kids Help Phone. As a result, this will provide mental health, counseling, & crisis support to young people.
- Protection Against Hate Crimes
In 2023, the federal budget invested over $49.5 million during five years. Moreover, an additional $10 million was reallocated by Public Safety Canada in the fall of 2023. In addition, this portion of the federal budget will help communities at risk of hate-motivated violence with security infrastructure at their gathering places.
- Reducing Workplace Harassment
An investment of over $30.6 million over three years will allow Justice Canada to continue funding legal advisory & education services for victims of workplace sexual harassment.