Rainbow Railroad Budget 2025 Statement

Rainbow Railroad is pleased to see the special initiative of Budget 2025 to streamline the transition of approximately 115,000 Protected Persons to permanent residency. This practical step recognizes the fact that the vast majority of these individuals cannot return to their country of origin. The investment of $120.4 million will ensure that those in need of Canada’s protection have their permanent status recognized, accelerating their full integration into Canadian society and their path to citizenship.

We were delighted at the government’s investment of $54.6 million over five years to support the 2SLGBTQI+ community. And, we will continue to advocate for Canada to maintain a leadership role in protecting LGBTQI+ people facing persecution across the world, including maintaining pathways to protection. 

Despite these positive developments, Rainbow Railroad is deeply concerned by the major cuts to refugee resettlement programs—including Government Assisted Refugees—announced in Budget 2025, and urges Canada to ensure that LGBTQI+ people facing persecution remain a top priority. 

We stand in solidarity with Cooperation Canada in their concern over the government’s decision to reduce Canada’s International Assistance Envelope. Rainbow Railroad continues to witness the impact of shrinking international assistance, which is contributing to increased global instability and inequities within the context of an escalating forced displacement crisis. 

Specifically, we are calling on the government to expand the Government Assisted Refugee Partnership for LGBTQI+ people and double current allocations to meet the growing demand. We also call on the government to keep its platform commitment to increase the allotment for the  Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership.  

With more than 123 million people forcibly displaced globally, we estimate that between 8.6 million and 12.3 million LGBTQI+ people are among them. Over 60 countries continue to criminalize same-sex relations, and in countries such as Uganda and Afghanistan, it is punishable by death. 

Canada has built a strong global reputation as a leader in advancing LGBTQI+ rights, including creating pathways to protection for LGBTQI+ refugee claimants, which contributes to its soft power. In a time when authoritarianism is on the rise and well-funded hate groups are working to attack and demonize LGBTQI+ people around the world, Canada must remain a leader in standing up for global LGBTQI+ rights and expand life-saving pathways to protection.

Rainbow Railroad stands ready to work with the government to advance Canada’s role as a safe haven for at-risk LGBTQI+ people from around the world.