When the Data Speaks: Trans Lives, Economic Realities, and a Rising Tide of Hostility
On October 16, 2025, Statistics Canada released a report titled "Socioeconomic outcomes of transgender and non-binary people in Canada." It's the first comprehensive analysis of the socioeconomic outcomes of transgender and non-binary people in Canada, using 2021 Census data. The findings are stark. They reveal not isolated gaps, but a clear pattern of systemic inequity. These results land at a time when public debates about gender identity have grown louder and more hostile in some quarters. In provinces such as Alberta, conservative leadership has advanced policies intended to restrict gender-affirming care for trans youth, echoing legislative trends already underway in several U.S. states. The numbers in this report provide critical context for understanding the real-world consequences of these political choices. Economic Inequities Made Visible The Statistics Canada study highlights persistent disparities in income, employment, and poverty. Even after controlli...
