Transgender London

Home

Articles

In The News

Opinion

Resources

About Me

Is The Canadian Government Discriminatory?

The current conservative Canadian government has a long history of intolerance toward the LGBT community going back to its historical roots as a government.  This began with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's refusal to open the international AIDS conference in Montreal and has continued through his party members public comments.  Most recently, they have systematically been withdrawing federal funding dollars from PRIDE celebrations across the country most notably Toronto and Montreal.

The arguments being used are feeble in that they are claiming the funding could be better used elsewhere.  This claim holds absolutely no water at all.  Federal dollars spent on the Calgary Stampede amounted to $33 per attendee while the Montreal Divers/Cite festival would have amounted to cents on the dollar.  The same can be said for the Toronto Pride Festival.  So exactly where is the value for the dollar?

These two Pride celebrations in particular attract a significant international tourism clientele.  This is in addition to the local celebrants who are comprised as much from the heterosexual community as from the LGBT communities.  (Everyone, it seems like to have a picture taken with a flamboyant drag queen or king.)  The restaurants, art galleries and performing theatres profit from these festivals.  The hoteliers, transportation and pubs benefit equally.  PRIDE is not just about being gay.  It is a celebration of diversity and acceptance.

There is no logical argument for the Canadian government to remove funding from these events.  Therefore the only conclusion to be drawn is that the government is acting with malice and promoting discrimination.

This IS NOT the Canadian way.

Kimberley.