The Canadian government recently issued a travel advisory warning LGBTQ+ people about travel south of the border. Global Affairs Canada updated its travel advice for the United States to warn LGBTQ+ travellers about state laws that may affect them.

LGBTQ+ rights have come under increased threat in the U.S. in recent years. Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures and dozens have been enacted. However, the experiences of LGBTQ+ newcomers show that Canada too still has a lot of work to do.

Today, in The Conversation Canada, Andrew Chapados at the University of Windsor outlines some of the challenges LGBTQ+ refugees face in Canada, and what the government can do to make them more welcome. “Racism, homophobia and transphobia are part of the lived experiences of newcomers,” he writes. “Canada should design and support developing resources with the LGBTQ+ community in mind.”

Also today:

All the best,

Ibrahim Daair

Culture + Society Editor
Despite the image of being welcoming, Canada has not made enough progress to protect and welcome LGBTQ+ refugees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada warns LGBTQ+ travellers about the U.S., but those seeking refuge here aren’t always welcomed

Andrew Chapados, University of Windsor

Canada has taken positive steps in recognizing and supporting LGBTQ+ communities. However, that support does not always extend to people seeking asylum.
A photo taken by a migrant farm worker from a vineyard located in South Kelowna on August 18, 2023. Wildfires have burned large areas in region. (Cesar Chavez)

Migrant workers facing the dangers of wildfires need support

Eloy Rivas-Sánchez, Athabasca University; Geneviève Tousignant, Athabasca University

Natural hazards like wildfires are adding yet more challenges to the difficulties many migrant workers face.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, centre, speaks to media during the closing news conference at the Council of the Federation of Canada’s premiers in Winnipeg in July. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Saskatchewan naming and pronoun policy: The best interests of children must guide provincial parental consent rules

Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University; Patrick Richards, University of Saskatchewan

Elected officials must consider relevant research and legal context when shaping education policies. Otherwise, they risk destabilizing classrooms and harming students.
People march to remember those who died during the drug poisoning crisis on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Aug. 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Decriminalization: How police drug seizure, even without arrest, can create harms

Kanna Hayashi, Simon Fraser University

A police policy of not making arrests for simple possession is a way to essentially decriminalize personal drug use. However, confiscating drugs — even without arrests — can be harmful in many ways.
Ontario’s Greenbelt is a bastion of ecosystem diversity and the loss of parts of it would cause considerable harm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Global biodiversity: Why the proposed changes to Ontario’s Greenbelt matter

Kathryn Loog, Polytechnique Montréal

While Canada pledges $200 million to promote biodiversity, Doug Ford removes lands from the Greenbelt. Here is why we all should care.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing in July 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Why the United States will have to accept China’s growing influence and strength

Yasar Bukan, Toronto Metropolitan University

Relations between the U.S. and China have become antagonistic over the last decade. Here’s why the relationship must change.

La Conversation Canada
Chaque année, plus de 100  000 Canadiens reçoivent un diagnostic de trouble de l’alimentation. (Shutterstock)

Les troubles de l’alimentation peuvent causer la mort : de quoi s’agit-il, qui est à risque et que peut-on faire ?

Simon Sherry, Dalhousie University

Le taux de mortalité des personnes souffrant de troubles alimentaires est six fois plus élevé que celui de la population générale.

Arts

  • Romantic comedies, Japanese reality television and New Zealand true crime: the best of streaming this September

    Dennis Altman, La Trobe University; Ari Mattes, University of Notre Dame Australia; Erin Harrington, University of Canterbury; Jessica Ford, University of Adelaide; Jodi McAlister, Deakin University; Michelle Arrow, Macquarie University; Stuart Richards, University of South Australia

    Our experts bring you the best new shows, films and seasons. From comedy to reality television to crime drama, we hope you’ll find your new streaming favourite here.

Business + Economy

Science + Tech