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Vernon Pride Rally 2023  (submitted photo/Vernon Pride/Facebook)
By Liam Verster
Essie's Place Investment

Feds support 2SLGBTQI+ people in North Okanagan, Shuswap

Sep 5, 2023 | 2:25 PM

The federal government has made an investment to address discrimination and other barriers to 2SLGBTQI+ people of the North Okanagan and Shuswap.

Essie’s Place has been provided $294,523 to develop community-informed solutions to address key barriers in the Shuswap and North Okanagan with a focus on enhanced resources on safe sexual practices and better support.

Essie’s Place, based in Salmon Arm, is a non-profit organization that aims to provide mental health supports and safe spaces to members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“Working with grassroots organizations is key to creating community-informed solutions to address barriers and gaps faced by 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians,” Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, stated.

“This project takes an intersectional approach to providing accurate and bias-free information regarding safe sex practices. We will continue building on the progress of the historic 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, while building a safer and more inclusive Canada.”

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In 2021, 423 police-reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation were recorded in Canada, with 77 per cent of those crimes specifically targeted towards the gay and lesbian populations.

The federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, which was launched in August 2022, with the aims of supporting 2SLBGBTQI+ community action, advancing and strengthening people’s rights, creating a more inclusive future, and using data to create evidence-based policies.

by Liam Verster
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What Matters

Stage 3 Water Restrictions
Vernon taking steps to conserve water
Jun 06, 2026
Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations
Coldstream zoning changing to allow more styles of secondary dwellings
Jun 05, 2026
$1.51M up to $2.05M
Recreation agreement amended to see contributions increased
Jun 05, 2026
20 Local Groups Benefiting
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Jun 05, 2026
8.1% Unemployed
Regional unemployment flat month to month, still relatively high
Jun 05, 2026