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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.