1. Northern Mosaic Network is dedicated to making the Northwest Territories a safer, more equitable place for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults and families. We are working towards a future where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are not just tolerated but are thriving members of our communities. If elected, how do you plan to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and families in the NWT?

If elected as MP for the NWT, I will be an ally to the 2SLGBTQIA Community. I will make sure that the NDP won’t stop fighting for better funding, healthcare, and safety for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults and families. I commit to always consult with the community to fully understand the needs and challenges that need addressing. I believe that together, we should work to establish a roundtable on combating hate and violence with stakeholders that are directly impacted. 

2. What do you know about the current challenges that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is facing here in the NWT, and across the country? If elected, how do you plan to address these challenges?

There have been some important advancements in 2SLGBTQIA+ community rights in Canada in recent years, many of these achievements have been the result of Bills and the advocacy of the NDP in Parliament. However, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the work that needs to be done and the continued discrimination in our communities. As an example, numerous LGBTQ2S+ issues, from trans participation in sports to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, have been caught in the crosshairs of the political culture wars, mirroring the political climate of the United States. Our progress on these matters has seen push back from right-wing Conservatives. 

3. Across the country, access to gender affirming care is under threat. Last December, the government of Alberta passed Bill 26, which banned gender affirming care for youth under 18. This also impacted NWT youth, who were referred to a pediatric endocrinologist in Alberta to access gender affirming care. Currently, there is no functional pathway for youth to access gender affirming care in the NWT.  We’ve also heard from trans and non-binary adults in our community that they are concerned about travelling to Alberta for healthcare, given the rise of anti-trans hate in the province. If elected, how do you plan to restore, maintain, and improve access to this necessary and lifesaving form of healthcare?

Our Party has been clear on this that we need to listen to Canada’s trans community to build safer, healthier, and more inclusive services. This includes increasing funding for supporting and creating trans and gender-diverse organizations, making comprehensive gender-affirming health care a reality across Canada, and working with the community on combating anti-trans hate and violence.

4. Recently, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and trans youth in particular, have been the target of many high profile political campaigns and have had to witness their identities and rights debated on a regional, national and international scale. We know that this has a significant negative impact on their mental health. How do you plan to combat this hate and support the mental health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth? 

The rise of hate towards the community is alarming. If elected, I will work with my NDP colleagues to push back against this backwards thinking that is harmful. I will advocate that the Federal Government commit sufficient and stable capacity building funding to support organizations who work to build more inclusive societies for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and trans youth. This funding should be sensitive to intersectional differences among trans and gender diverse people. 

5. Two Spirit, Indigiqueer, and queer and trans Indigenous (2SIQTI) people face unique challenges in the NWT. 2SIQTI people experience both racism and homophobia and transphobia. How do you plan to address anti-Indigenous racism and ensure that all Indigenous people, including 2SIQTI people, have access to equitable programs and services?

Reconciliation is very important to me as an indigenous person. I believe that the Federal Government could do better at collecting data on these unique challenges that we are seeing in rural and remote communities in the NWT and across Canada. If elected, I pledge to continue to call on our government for sustained federal funding towards 2SLGBTQI+ organizations working to create safer and more open communities for Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQI+ identities, and to help reconcile Canada’s harmful history with Two Spirit Indigenous people.

New Democrats are committed to fighting alongside the 2SLGBTQI+ community towards a future without transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia in all communities.

6. Due to systemic oppression, homophobia, and transphobia, 2SLGBTQIA+ people face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, affordable housing, employment, disability services, immigration services, and victims services. If elected, how do you plan to ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ people are intentionally included when addressing these issues?
The Federal Government can do better at working with Provincial and Territorial Governments to make comprehensive gender-affirming care a reality across the entire country. The Government can provide more stable funding for life saving metal health like the trans-lifeline and community support networks. More rigid Human Rights protection around housing and Amending the Employment Equity Act to include sexual Orientation, & gender. The immigration, Refugee and Citizen Canada should consider allowing in-county applications for refugee status in countries where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are at high risk. 

We haven’t received a response from this candidate yet.

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1. Northern Mosaic Network is dedicated to making the Northwest Territories a safer, more equitable place for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults and families. We are working towards a future where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are not just tolerated, but are thriving members of our communities. If elected, how do you plan to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and families in the NWT?

   I fully agree that 2SLGBTQIA+ NWTers deserve to feel safe, welcome, and able to excel in all our 33 communities. As MP I will be committed to working with 2SLGBTQIA+ Northerners to support their ideas and initiatives to make our territory better. I will also work to ensure that federal programs and services are inclusive and reflective of the needs of our Northern communities and the people that live in them, including 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

2. What do you know about the current challenges that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is facing here in the NWT, and across the country? If elected, how do you plan to address these challenges?

   Many of the key issues are addressed in the subsequent questions, including removing barriers to programs and services and defending against the political attacks targeting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I would also add that gender-based violence [GBV] is a serious issue that is affecting communities across the NWT, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As MP, I want to support local projects to prevent and address GBV, including enhancing access to shelters in northern and remote communities, that are inclusive and apply an intersectional approach.

3. Across the country, access to gender affirming care is under threat. Last December, the government of Alberta passed Bill 26, which banned gender affirming care for youth under 18. This also impacted NWT youth, who were referred to a pediatric endocrinologist in Alberta to access gender affirming care. Currently, there is no functional pathway for youth to access gender affirming care in the NWT. We’ve also heard from trans and non-binary adults in our community that they are concerned about travelling to Alberta for healthcare, given the rise of anti-trans hate in the province. If elected, how do you plan to restore, maintain, and improve access to this necessary and lifesaving form of healthcare?

   I am completely opposed to the recent measures by the Alberta government, which effectively restricts access to health care services that can be critical to supporting youth in need. As MP I would engage with the GNWT and residents to ensure that Northerners will continue to have access to gender affirming care.

4. Recently, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and trans youth in particular, have been the target of many high profile political campaigns and have had to witness their identities and rights debated on a regional, national and international scale. We know that this has a significant negative impact on their mental health. How do you plan to combat this hate and support the mental health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth?

   I want all 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, including trans youth, in the NWT to be assured they have an MP who is an ally and a federal government that will not bow to political pressure when it comes to their right to live and love however they wish. We cannot allow the progress that has been made in recent years to be rolled back by those who think that the safety and freedom of 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians is negotiable. As MP I will be steadfast in my support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and will advocate for mental health programs that are inclusive of their needs.

5. Two Spirit, Indigiqueer, and queer and trans Indigenous (2SIQTI) people face unique challenges in the NWT. 2SIQTI people experience both racism and homophobia and transphobia. How do you plan to address anti-Indigenous racism and ensure that all Indigenous people, including 2SIQTI people, have access to equitable programs and services?

   As Member of Parliament, I would be committed to addressing the intersectional discrimination 2SIQTI people face. To do so, we need to ensure there are anti-racism and anti-homophobia & anti-trans strategies and approaches that are in place that are integrated and compliment each other, so that no one is caught in the gaps of having access to programs and services that Canadians rely on.

6. Due to systemic oppression, homophobia, and transphobia, 2SLGBTQIA+ people face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, affordable housing, employment, disability services, immigration services, and victims services. If elected, how do you plan to ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ people areintentionally included when addressing these issues?

   As MP, I would advocate for adequate consultations to ensure the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ people are reflected in the policies and programs that affect them most. Through applying a GBA+ [Gender-Based Analysis Plus] lens to policy making, we can better include the views and impacts of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the design and implementation of federal initiatives.