On Sunday, the federal government committed $100 million over the next five years to the 2SLGBTQI+ community with three-quarters of those funds going to community organizations.
The money is intended to help fight discrimination and to support diversity.
Douglas Elliott of the Northern Ontario Pride Network said the money will be "transformational" and will make "an enormous difference for small organizations."
"With a particular emphasis on Indigenous communities and rural communities. So of course, in the north, our ears perk up when we hear rural and Indigenous, that means us," Elliot said.
Jason Maclennan, of North Bay Pride, said he is skeptical that funds will go towards small organizations, based on his experience.
"There’s a lot of major city focus, unfortunately … For example, TD will give $250,000 to a major city Pride, but $2,000 to a rural Pride," MacIennan said.
"I’m not saying that’s a bad thing on TD, I’m just saying that’s the disproportion when we talk about sponsorship dollars."
He said small organizations like his are usually vying for the "leftovers" from federal and provincial governments.
While Elliott said he is confident the funds will flow to northern Ontario, he also said there are shortcomings of the new action plan.
"Number 1 is a lack of details on addressing online hate. Number 2, not releasing historical records on the 'gay purge'... and Number 3: not having an ambassador on LGBT issues, like Italy."
Part of the funding, $5 million, is earmarked towards a public awareness campaign while $7.7 million will be spent on data collection and policy research.
