As you probably know we are in the midst of a federal election, with the final day of voting tomorrow, Monday April 28th, 2025. This is a big one, especially for 2S/LGBTQIA+ folks, given the current political climate both locally and globally. Despite this feeling like such a pivotal election for queer, trans, and Two-Spirit people, little coverage has been given to issues that most directly affect our communities. So we asked all the candidates in the three ridings that fall within the Tri-Cities to fill out a short survey regarding their views on some key 2S/LGBTQIA+ specific issues. We received responses from Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam), Zoe Royer (Liberal, Port Moody- Coquitlam), and Laura Dupont (NDP Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam). You can read their responses below. For more information on how and where to vote visit https://www.elections.ca.
Note for trans voters: You are not required to show photo ID and your appearance does not need to match your ID photo, however your ID name must match your voter registration.
Responses to the survey:
Q1: We have seen multiple provinces implement policies that trans and gender-diverse people have named as being harmful to their well-being and that of their communities. This includes legislation that prevents youth under 16 from receiving hormone therapy and puberty blockers, requiring parental consent for students to use their affirmed names or pronouns at school, and excludes trans women from women’s sports. Given peer-reviewed literature that provides evidence that policies like these are associated with increased rates of suicide among trans and non-binary people, what will be your and your party’s response to such policies?
Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “The NDP strongly opposes any policies that harm trans and gender-diverse people. We will fight to protect access to gender-affirming care, ensure schools are safe and inclusive, and oppose laws that restrict youth from receiving necessary support or care. We are committed to permanent, stable funding for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, strengthening human rights protections, and expanding access to affirming health care. Trans rights are human rights, and New Democrats will always stand against hate and discrimination to build a Canada where everyone can live in safety, dignity, and pride.”
Zoe Royer (Liberal, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “During my 14 years in public office; 11 years on Port Moody City Council and now as a Trustee for Coquitlam School District, I’ve consistently supported policies that make schools and communities more inclusive and affirming for all youth. The policies referenced in your question; restricting access to gender-affirming care, requiring parental consent for pronoun use, and banning trans women from participation in sports—have been linked in peer-reviewed research to increased rates of depression and suicide among trans and non-binary individuals. That evidence must be taken seriously. Our federal government has a responsibility to uphold Charter rights and to protect access to evidence-based, life-saving care. If elected, I would support a coordinated, respectful federal approach that works with provinces to address disparities and ensure that every youth in Canada, regardless of where they live or how they identify, feels protected, valued, and safe to be themselves.”
Laura Dupont (NDP Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam): “Policies that attack trans and gender-diverse youth are cruel, dangerous, and unacceptable. I will fight them at every level. The NDP will advocate for strong federal protections for gender-affirming healthcare, work to ensure schools are safe and inclusive without forced outing policies, and use every legislative and legal tool available to challenge discriminatory provincial laws. Every young person deserves to be affirmed and supported, not politicized or endangered.”
Q2: Prime Minister Carney eliminated the position of Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth (WAGE). This has been seen as a backwards move for gender equality and 2S/LGBTQIA+ rights by many advocates and rights groups. What are your opinions on the WAGE ministry, and how will you and your party ensure that the federal government continues to push forward WAGE Canada’s commitment to “advancing equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders.”
Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “The NDP opposes the elimination of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. This move threatens decades of progress and puts vital programs-like the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence-at risk. Our party is committed to restoring a dedicated ministry for gender equality, ensuring strong federal leadership and funding for women, girls, and 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities. We will continue to champion human rights, fight gender-based violence, and support organizations advancing equality for all genders-because there is no liberation for women without the liberation of trans women and gender-diverse people”
Zoe Royer (Liberal, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “The Liberal government established the standalone Department of Women and Gender Equality in 2018 and it remains a standalone department currently, under Minister Guilbeault. Women and Gender Equality Canada plays a vital role in advancing gender equality, supporting 2S/LGBTQI+ rights, promoting GBA+ analysis, addressing gender-based violence, and funding the work of grassroots organizations. I strongly support its continued leadership, and believe gender equity must be embedded across all areas of federal policy, not siloed. This commitment is deeply personal to me. My mother was one of Canada’s first female Obstetrician/Gynecologists’. She was also a contributor to the “Shocking Pink Papers” of 1988, an influential feminist policy document that shaped Canada’s approach to women’s rights and gender inclusion. Her voice helped bring gender-based analysis and inclusive policymaking into the national spotlight. Her legacy informs my own. As your MP, I will continue her work by championing inclusive policies, securing federal funding for gender and 2S/LGBTQIA+ initiatives, and pushing for intersectional, community-informed decision-making at every level.”
Laura Dupont (NDP Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam): “Eliminating WAGE was a shameful step backward. Gender equality and 2S/LGBTQIA+ rights need federal leadership, not abandonment. New Democrats will fight to restore and strengthen WAGE — with real resources, authority, and mandates. We will work with community organizations to set priorities directly informed by those most affected and ensure that federal policies explicitly defend and advance gender identity and expression rights.”
Q3: Many transgender, non-binary, and intersex people living in the United States are seeking refuge after the inauguration of President Trump and his executive orders that put gender-diverse folks at risk. Will you or your party support calls to make an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) for transgender, non-binary, and intersex refugee claimants in the U.S. to seek asylum in Canada?
Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “The NDP opposes the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and believes it puts transgender, non-binary, and intersex asylum seekers at grave risk. We have consistently called for the immediate suspension of the STCA and support urgent exemptions for those facing gender-based persecution, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Refugees deserve a humane and safe process to seek asylum in Canada, free from discrimination and danger. The NDP will continue to advocate for policies that protect the rights and safety of all asylum seekers, including gender-diverse individuals fleeing persecution in the U.S.”
Zoe Royer (Liberal, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “Canada must remain a place of refuge for individuals facing discrimination, persecution, or safety risks, particularly where protections are eroding. At the same time, the Agreement helps both governments better manage access to the refugee system in each country for people crossing the Canada–USA land border.”
Laura Dupont (NDP Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam): “Absolutely. Canada must immediately make exceptions to the Safe Third Country Agreement for transgender, non-binary, and intersex people fleeing persecution under Trump’s regime. The U.S. is no longer a safe country for many vulnerable communities. We have a moral obligation to provide refuge and protection. The NDP has called for an overhaul of the STCA, and as an MP, I will fight for special protections for 2S/LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers.”
Q4: “As a member of parliament, how will you uphold and expand 2S/LGBTQIA+ rights and combat the rising tide of homophobia and transphobia? How have you done so in the past (either in politics or elsewhere)?
Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “As your NDP MP, I will fight for permanent federal funding for 2S/LGBTQIA+ organizations, expand access to gender-affirming healthcare, and strengthen anti-hate laws to combat rising homophobia and transphobia. I have always stood with queer and trans communities-supporting the ban on conversion therapy, enshrining gender identity protections, and advocating for safe, inclusive spaces. I will continue to push for policies that ensure everyone can live openly and safely, and work with grassroots and Indigenous-led groups to advance equality and justice for all.”
Zoe Royer (Liberal, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “Throughout my public service as a three-term City Councillor in Port Moody and now as a School Trustee for the Coquitlam School District, I’ve advocated for equality, inclusive spaces, and respectful dialogue. This has included my support for inclusive policies, gender-inclusive washrooms, and rainbow crosswalks. I proudly attended Pride events, supported SOGI-inclusive education, and challenged misinformation when it surfaced in public dialogue.”
Laura Dupont (NDP Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam): “I will push for stronger hate crime protections, stable funding for 2S/LGBTQIA+ organizations, support for inclusive education, and expanded access to affirming healthcare. I will speak out against bigotry, even when it’s uncomfortable. During my time in local government, I supported inclusive policies, worked with Pride groups, and made sure 2S/LGBTQIA+ issues were not sidelined. Silence enables hate, and I refuse to be silent.”
Q5: Pierre Poilievre has been on record as saying there are “only two genders.” This had led to many trans and gender-diverse people living in Canada to worry about 1) If trans and non-binary people will continue to be recognized and protected under Canadian law. 2) That they may lose the option of “X” as a gender marker on ID. How do you respond to Mr. Poilievre’s statements and the associated concerns of trans and non-binary people?
Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “The NDP strongly rejects Pierre Poilievre’s statements and stands firmly with trans and non-binary Canadians. We believe trans rights are human rights and will continue to defend gender diversity under Canadian law. The NDP supports the right to gender-affirming care and the recognition of non-binary identities, including the option of “X” on federal IDs. We will always fight against hate and discrimination, and work to ensure everyone can live safely, with dignity and pride, regardless of gender identity or expression.”
Zoe Royer (Liberal, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “Respecting and recognizing people as they are is fundamental to inclusion in Canada. Trans and non-binary Canadians are protected under the law, and I support maintaining those protections, including retaining the “X” marker option on federal ID and ensuring inclusive services across government. I believe that political leaders have a duty to foster unity, not division. I will continue to champion policies that reflect the diversity and dignity of every Canadian.”
Laura Dupont (NDP Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam): “Pierre Poilievre’s statements are ignorant, dangerous, and signal a real threat to human rights. Let me be clear: trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people are real, valid, and must be protected under Canadian law. The NDP will fight tooth and nail to defend gender markers like “X,” expand inclusive ID policies, and ensure that gender identity protections under the Charter are enforced and strengthened — not rolled back.”
Q6: Thank you for taking the time to answer this survey and providing important context and information to 2S/LGBTQIA+ voters. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “The NDP is committed to ensuring every 2S/LGBTQIA+ person can live in safety, dignity, and pride. We will provide permanent, stable federal funding for grassroots 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, fight for access to gender-affirming care and affordable housing, and stand firmly against hate and bigotry. We know queer and trans people face unique challenges, and we are dedicated to protecting rights and supporting communities, especially as hate and violence rise. New Democrats will always fight for a more inclusive and just Canada for all.”
Zoe Royer (Liberal, Port Moody-Coquitlam): “Thank you for reaching out and for the work you do in support of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community in the Tri-Cities. I am committed to being a collaborative, respectful, and proactive partner on issues that matter to your members. My door will remain open, for listening, learning, and advancing solutions together.
Laura Dupont (NDP Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam): “The attacks on 2S/LGBTQIA+ rights are escalating — and they are part of a bigger pattern of rolling back basic freedoms and dignity. I’m not interested in being “neutral” in the face of hate. I will stand with you, fight alongside you, and call out discrimination wherever it rears its head. You deserve safety, respect, and joy — and I’ll never stop fighting for that.”