The Quebec firm Cossette Communications was awarded a $1.1 million contract by Women and Gender Equality Canada to “address hateful propaganda and debunk disinformation targeting 2SLGBTQI+ communities.”
According to the contract tender, Cossette was awarded the contract on July 26, 2023 and it is valued at $1,124,455.50.
“The ultimate objective of this contract is to develop and implement a marketing and awareness campaign aimed at targeted segments of people in Canada. The broad purpose of the campaign is to engage a targeted segment of people in Canada to help foster a 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive future,” the tender description explains.
“More specifically, the campaign should enhance inclusion and break down underlying and long-standing stigma and discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ communities through a multi-pronged approach that deconstructs stereotypes and influences positive change. The campaign should address hateful propaganda and debunk disinformation targeting 2SLGBTQI+ communities.”
Government records show that for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, Cossette received $157.7 million in contracts from the Government of Canada, with the average contract being valued at $852,000.
The contract specifically mentions consulting members of “racialized” and “immigrant” communities to help address stigma against LGBTQ people.
Recent protests have flared across Canada surrounding the issue of gender ideology in schools. Members of Canada’s Muslim communities have been particularly present at these protests.
Last week, one of the protest organizers, Kamel El-Cheikh called on nation-wide protests to tackle the issue of gender ideology in schools.
“I am optimistic – absolutely. You know, if [there’s] one thing that’s going to inspire Canadians from coast to coast to go down and protest it’s the kids and their innocence and it’s families,” said El-Cheikh.
One activist also claimed that she was subject to online abuse due to her Muslim beliefs and opposition to gender ideology.
“You cannot imagine the amount of threats, insults I am getting just because I am saying I want my children to be educated without gender ideology,” said Bahira Abdulsalam.
“They are trying to silence me, and they are trying to scare me.”
