At the core of the Forward Party’s values is a simple but powerful principle: cultural freedom matters. Every Canadian deserves the freedom to live authentically, to be respected, and to be free from discrimination, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Our commitment to these freedoms isn’t symbolic—it’s lived. It is reflected in the leadership of our deputy leader, Will Adams, a proud member of the LGBTQ community, a longtime advocate for justice, and a respected voice for equity in public life. Will brings both personal experience and a deep understanding to an area where Canada must continue to lead by example. He doesn’t support the community from behind a podium. He’s lived it. He shows up at events, and on the ground.

Respecting Rights. Rejecting Manufactured Controversies.

The Forward Party believes that LGBTQ rights in Canada are not up for debate. While we encourage candidates to run local, community-driven campaigns tailored to the realities of their ridings, all candidates are united under our core principles; and that includes a firm, unwavering commitment to LGBTQ rights.

There is no meaningful demand from Canadians to walk back LGBTQ protections, and we will not pander to extremist voices by pretending otherwise. Our country is stronger when everyone is free to live their truth without fear of discrimination or harassment. In the democratic institutions we’re working to build, including referendums and citizens’ assemblies. Under a Forward Party government, Canadians will have more direct tools to shape national policy. But let us be clear: the Forward Party will not initiate, support, or entertain referendums that target or undermine LGBTQ rights. These are settled matters. In a democracy, rights should be reaffirmed—not carelessly discarded in public spectacle.

A Distraction from Real Issues

The national conversation has become consumed by a “woke vs. anti-woke” culture war that does little to improve anyone’s life. This debate has increasingly focused on trans and gender diverse Canadians—often in misleading and hostile ways. It’s time we recognized this for what it is: a political distraction. According to Statistics Canada, Trans Canadians make up a tiny fraction of the population—0.2% overall, 0.5% of Millennials, and 0.79% of Gen Z. They are a minority within a minority. Gender variance has been observed across cultures and throughout history. Some cultures embraced it. Others suppressed it. Others simply didn’t care.

But in Canada, we believe people deserve the right to live safely and freely—regardless of how they identify. Our national identity is not so fragile that it crumbles when less than one percent of Canadians live differently. Supporting trans people comes at almost no cost to taxpayers, yet the political establishment has spent far more money producing attack ads about “wokeness” than it would ever cost to ensure safety, dignity, and healthcare for trans people.

Getting Serious: What Really Affects Canadians

We need to have an honest conversation about the real barriers people are facing every day. For LGBTQ Canadians, like many others, the most immediate challenge is not symbolism, it's survival. The affordability crisis is hitting everyone hard, and that includes LGBTQ Canadians. Rising rent, stagnant wages, and overwhelmed healthcare systems are far more pressing than whether a company updated its logo for Pride Month. That’s why we take issue with performative gestures that don’t translate into meaningful change. When major corporations flood their marketing with rainbow flags every June, only to ignore the needs of LGBTQ workers the other eleven months of the year, we have to ask: who is this really helping?

Inclusion is more than branding. It’s about safe housing, access to healthcare, economic opportunity, and social dignity. It’s about whether someone can afford to live—not just whether they’re represented in a commercial. Declaring support is easy; delivering change is harder. That doesn’t mean visibility doesn’t matter. It does. But we’ve reached a point where too much energy is spent debating surface-level culture war issues, while the core economic struggles go unresolved. We can’t afford to get distracted.

For LGBTQ Canadians, the path to equality goes through the same challenges faced by many others: access to services, financial security, and freedom from fear. For all Canadians, our future depends on moving past theatrics and toward real solutions.

Our Path Forward: A Country That Works for Everyone

We believe in a Canada where every citizen—regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or background—has a fair shot. That means tackling the affordability crisis, expanding democratic participation, and building a resilient, inclusive economy.

We won’t win by dividing people. We will win by building consensus, by focusing on real issues, and by respecting the dignity of every Canadian.

This is our path forward—principled, practical, and people-first.