Canada
A global perspective
Canada has a total Rainbow score of 82.8/100, ranking it 2nd globally, among countries with available scores. This score helps us understand how Canada compares to other jurisdictions, with regard to laws and policies in place to protect the rights of 2SLGBTQI people.
Progress over time
Canada’s Rainbow score reflects laws and policies across six key domains; equality and non-discrimination, family, gender recognition, hate crimes and hate speech, civil society, and asylum. By comparing Canada’s scores across these domains over time, you can see how and when policy advancements have promoted 2SLGBTQI equity.
About the Rainbow Policy Domains
Equality and Non-Discrimination
This policy domain evaluates how well a jurisdiction’s laws and policies protect people against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. It looks at whether laws and policies are in place to protect 2SLGBTQI people's rights to freedom from discrimination in areas like employment, education, and health.
Family
This policy domain examines the legal recognition and protection of 2SLGBTQI families. It assesses whether same-sex couples can marry or enter into civil partnerships, adopt children, access assisted reproductive technologies or treatment, or be listed on their child’s birth certificate with their legal gender identity.
Hate Crime and Hate Speech
This policy domain focuses on laws and policies that combat hate crimes and hate speech targeting 2SLGBTQI people. It assesses whether there are legal mechanisms in place to prosecute those who commit violent acts or use hate speech against 2SLGBTQI individuals.
Legal Gender Recognition
This policy domain evaluates whether people can change their legal gender markers on official documents, such as identification cards and passports. It considers the presence or absence of requirements like compulsory medical procedures, compulsory divorce, age restrictions, or a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder or a psychological opinion in order to make the change.
Civil Society
This policy domain focuses on 2SLGBTQI public events. It includes the right to free assembly, protection by public authorities (protection from disruption or attacks), and freedom from legal obstruction or censorship of 2SLGBTQI organizations or publications. Jurisdictions with positive scores in this domain have laws and policies in place to support the safe operation and assembly of 2SLGBTQI organizations and events.
Asylum
The Asylum policy domain examines how countries treat 2SLGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees. It assesses whether there are legal provisions in place to protect 2SLGBTQI individuals fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. Scores in this domain reflect the degree to which a jurisdiction has laws and policies in place that protect 2SLGBTQI asylum seekers fleeing discrimination and violence.
Exploring regional differences
Provinces and territories in Canada may also enact laws and policies to protect and enhance 2SLGBTQI rights and equity. Provincial and territorial scores show differences between regions across Canada. Learn more about regional differences in Canada.