Liberals pledge $660M for 'equity' programs, defend generational debt strategy

The Liberals are promising $660 million in new funding for gender equality and "2SLGBTQIA+" communities over the next five years.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Liberals are promising $660 million in new funding for gender equality and “2SLGBTQIA+” communities over the next five years, a pledge officials say reflects both fiscal “tough choices” and national priorities ahead of next week’s federal budget.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Women and Gender Equality Minister Rechie Valdez announced the funding package on Wednesday.

The funds are designated for women’s equality initiatives, gender-based violence support programs, and “2SLGBTQIA+” security and inclusion measures.

But the government is also facing questions about its broader fiscal path. Champagne was asked about intergenerational fairness, to which he defended the government’s approach, saying Canadians will see a clear distinction in the upcoming budget between day-to-day spending and long-term investments.

“What we’re shifting is the same three years from now,” he said. “We’re going to balance the operating budget with the revenues we have.”

The Liberal government splits its operating budget and capital budget, a practice that Conservative MP Michael Cooper described as “creative accounting” to hide the deficit of government spending.

Cooper accused Carney of “cooking the books.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged last week to balance the operating budget in three years.

Champagne also said that future generations would benefit from the infrastructure and housing investments being made today. He referenced remarks from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who, he claimed, had praised Canada and Germany for having the fiscal room to invest in their economies.

“I would say it’s about time that we invest in ourselves,” Champagne said. “This is what next Tuesday will be all about — empowering Canadians, protecting our sovereignty and building this nation like we’ve never seen before.”

The funding package announced Wednesday includes $382.5 million over five years to support women’s equality, leadership and economic opportunity programs. Another $223.4 million will be allocated toward gender-based violence support programs, with $44.7 million annually set aside beyond the five-year window. The government also committed $54.6 million over five years for “2SLGBTQIA+” initiatives, including security at Pride events.

Valdez called the funding stable and predictable, stating that it would support organizations nationwide. Fighting back emotion, she said, “I’ve seen what happens when we remove barriers in this country. People step up, they build, they lead, and they open doors for others.”

Former Ontario Liberal education minister Mitzie Hunter, now president of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, said the funds would help community groups continue their work and called for “sustainable” support.

The announcement comes as the Liberals continue negotiations with opposition parties to pass the upcoming budget. Liberal House Leader Steven MacKinnon said on Wednesday that talks are ongoing, but warned that the government is only willing to bargain on “principles,” not details. He accused Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of risking a “Christmas election” by opposing the budget outright. The Conservatives have called for tax relief and lower deficits.