A recent report from Statistics Canada reveals a decline in Canada’s acceptance of gender diversity. The survey conducted in 2025 showed that 77% of women and 70% of men agreed that individuals should have the freedom to express their gender as they wish, down from 85% and 78% respectively in 2018.
Notably, Saskatchewan had the lowest level of acceptance in the country, with only 69% of women and 60% of men supporting gender diversity. Women in Saskatchewan saw a significant decrease of 14 percentage points compared to 2018.
Legislation targeting transgender and gender-diverse youth, such as Saskatchewan’s Parents’ Bill of Rights enacted in 2023, may have contributed to the declining acceptance. Wayne Bernakevitch, the founder of the Regina Civic Awareness Action Network, suggested that confusion and fear could be driving the shift in attitudes.
Experts emphasized the influence of political leaders in shaping societal views. Leah Hamilton from Mount Royal University highlighted how conservative politicians often use marginalized groups as scapegoats during times of economic uncertainty.
According to the survey conducted between October 2024 and July 2025, the U.S. election climate might have influenced Canadian attitudes. The politicization of trans and gender-diverse individuals in recent provincial elections in Saskatchewan also played a role in the decreased support.
Despite the challenges, advocates like j wallace skelton from the University of Regina stressed the importance of supporting gender diverse communities. Skelton encouraged pushing back against hate to foster a more inclusive environment.
