Canada is becoming less accepting of gender diversity, new Statistics Canada data shows

This shift illustrates the power political leaders have to shape public discourse, and the responsibility they hold to ensure individual and societal safety for everyone in Canada. (Unsplash) Canada is becoming less accepting of gender diversity, new Statistics Canada data shows Published: August 6, 2026 8.49am EDT Share article Print article For a long time, Canadian attitudes toward gender diversity moved in one direction: progressive acceptance. In May 2026, however, Statistics Canada released new findings showing that, compared to 2018, significantly fewer people in 2025 are supportive of diverse gender expressions and transgender people. From October 2024 to June 2025, survey data was collected from 48,547 people 15 years of age and older in Canada as part of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces. The survey was completed either online (self-administered) or by phone (by an interviewer) and collected information on Canadians’ experiences in public, at work, online and in their intimate relationships. The survey was conducted to ensure representation by geographical region, age and gender. Two questions focused on gender identity and expression. Survey respondents were asked the extent to which they agreed with these statements: 1. People should be able to express their gender however they choose. 2. I would support a family member if they came out as transgender. Compared to 2018, significantly fewer people in 2025 agreed that individuals should be free to express their gender however they choose. While the majority of Canadians do support diverse gender expressions, support has decreased. As Statistics Canada reports: “These changes were the most substantial among all eight gender-based violence, gender expression and gender equality statements included in the survey.” The agency notes these attitude shifts have coincided with a period of heightened public debate over the rights of transgender and gender diverse people. Counter-protesters advocating for trans rights march in downtown Halifax in opposition to protesters opposed to gender diversity in schools in September 2023. Protests and counter-protests for and against Canada’s trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ community were planned across Canada by ‘1MillionMarch4Children’ who are against so-called ‘gender ideology’ being taught in schools. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese The numbers behind the shift Importantly, support fell among women and men. The percentage of women supporting a…