Several Toronto candidates were invited to a meeting on 2SLGBTQ rights by Pride Toronto to discuss mental health and access to resources for those in the community. 

The meeting was held at Metropolitan United Church in the riding of Toronto Centre. 

Candidates present include the NDP’s Kristyn Wong-Tam, the Liberals’ Paul Saguil, the Greens’ Nikki Ward and Brian Crombie of the None of the Above Party (NOTA). 

The Ontario Progressive Conservatives declined to send a representative to the meeting, but the organisers set up an ice sculpture of Doug Ford to be beside the candidates. 

Main focuses of meeting include addressing mental concerns for 2SLGBTQ individuals including gender affirming care and the necessary resources and outlets to address health care.

Wong-Tam said her party is committed to creating a new action plan, focusing on lived experiences of the community to create new resources and access 

They said leaders cannot be merely symbolic, especially during Pride month through the parade or "wearing pink" for the month of June.

The Greens' Nikki Ward said fundamental change is possible, and draws and her own lived experiences as a trans woman. She reiterated that mental health for the community is severely underrepresented, and their voices deserve to "be at the forefront.  

The Liberals’ Paul Saguil said his party is offering a new package focused on two facets: a new curriculum focused on 2SLGBTQ rights and individuals, and promising gender affirming care for seniors as well. 

 Brian Crombie of NOTA offered a more general answer for the audiences. He mentioned the need for direct democracy in decisions and to make immediate change by relying on individual issues, rather than party discipline and voting blocks. 

Toronto Centre’s next scheduled all-candidates meeting is on May 31. 

Ontario’s election is set for June 2.  

Listen to CJRU's coverage of the all-candidates meeting: