A recent report from Statistics Canada reveals a decline in acceptance of gender diversity in Canada. The survey conducted in 2025 showed that 77% of women and 70% of men supported individuals expressing their gender freely, down from 85% of women and 78% of men in 2018.

Saskatchewan recorded the lowest acceptance rates in the country, with only 69% of women and 60% of men agreeing with gender expression freedom. Specifically, women in Saskatchewan saw a 14-percentage-point decrease from 2018.

Legislation passed in Saskatchewan and Alberta since 2018 has targeted trans and gender diverse youth, such as Saskatchewan’s Parents’ Bill of Rights enacted in 2023. Wayne Bernakevitch, from Regina Civic Awareness Action Network, suggested that confusion and fear might contribute to the decreased acceptance of gender diversity.

According to Leah Hamilton, a professor at Mount Royal University, politicians play a pivotal role in shaping societal attitudes. She noted that politicians often use marginalized communities as scapegoats during times of economic competition.

The survey took place between October 2024 and July 2025, coinciding with the American election campaign characterized by hate and disinformation. Jack Saddleback emphasized the influence of external events on Canadians’ attitudes towards gender diversity.

The politicization of trans and gender diverse individuals in recent elections and negative rhetoric may have impacted support levels in Saskatchewan. Despite the changing attitudes, advocates like j wallace skelton highlighted the importance of standing up against hate and supporting gender diverse individuals in the community.