Hon. Duncan Wilson: Honourable senators, I rise today during Pride Month to raise awareness of an incredible service provider based in my hometown of Vancouver: QMUNITY.

I have spoken about QMUNITY in this chamber before and how they have been a lifeline for 2SLGBTQ+ people across British Columbia for 48 years.

Their programming, which they provide to thousands of people each year, includes access to low-barrier mental health and social services, counselling programs, peer support groups and legal clinics. This has grown to include a health clinic and community-based pharmacy.

Importantly, they also offer programming to meet the unique needs of queer and trans youth and their families, while also providing dozens of programs geared towards adults and seniors.

QMUNITY has been operating in a tiny and outdated space for many years. Happily, they are now preparing to move into a 13,000-square-foot purpose-built facility perfectly situated in the heart of Davie Village, Vancouver’s queer hub.

This is long overdue, and the new space will now match the breadth of programming they provide and the clientele they serve. This will also be the largest queer community centre in Western Canada.

To support this goal, QMUNITY has launched a campaign to raise $6.5 million to bring their new home to life.

[Translation]

Although QMUNITY has already raised almost 75% of its fundraising target, the organization was unfortunately unable to apply for federal funding through Women and Gender Equality Canada to support this project. QMUNITY remains hopeful that the government will contribute to making one of Canada’s most ambitious queer community spaces a reality. I share that hope.

[English]

To borrow the words from QMUNITY themselves:

This project is about more than Vancouver. It is about ensuring that queer, trans, and Two-Spirit communities in British Columbia have somewhere to turn when they need support . . . for generations to come.

Colleagues, during June, a month of celebration for our community, I am grateful to be able to celebrate and support the work of QMUNITY and all the good they do across my home province.

[Translation]

I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all honourable senators who aren’t yet members of the Canadian Pride Caucus to join. It’s a great way to show solidarity, but it’s also your ticket to fabulous events such as tonight’s Canadian Pride Caucus evening garden party, graciously co-hosted by the German ambassador at her official residence.

I’d like to conclude by wishing you all a happy Pride Month.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!