Federal DEI Programs Cost $1.049 Billion Since 2016, Documents Show

Statement attributed to Sarah Fischer, Director of Communications, Conservative Party of Canada

Source: Blacklock’s Reporter — “D.E.I. Spending Tops $1.04B”

Donate: Conservative Party donation page

Newly released documents show that federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs across 29 departments have cost Canadian taxpayers approximately $1.049 billion since 2016, according to reporting by Blacklock’s Reporter.

In a statement circulated by the Conservative Party of Canada, communications director Sarah Fischer criticized the spending as an example of “woke waste” at a time when many Canadians struggle with rising costs for food, housing, and everyday essentials.

“While Canadians are struggling to afford food and housing, the Liberals have wasted $1 billion on DEI programs since 2016 — amassing power and wealth in the hands of ideological activists and Liberal insiders,” the statement reads.

The documents, obtained and summarized by Blacklock’s Reporter, itemize grants and contributions across multiple departments. Examples cited in media coverage include subsidies described as funding for “cultural vegetables” within Agriculture and grants to various community organizations. Critics say the allocations demonstrate a lack of fiscal discipline and unclear program objectives.

Political response and calls to action

The Conservative Party framed the disclosure as evidence that under the Liberal government, “life is more expensive, less secure, and more unfair.” The party called on supporters to contribute to efforts to “push back against this woke DEI agenda,” linking to its donation portal and urging immediate support.

Conservatives argue the spending represents ideological capture of public funds by favored groups.
Opponents and independent analysts caution that the DEI label can cover a wide range of programming, some of which target historically marginalized communities.
Questions remain about the classification method used to identify DEI-related spending and whether all cited expenditures would be widely recognized as DEI programs.

The party’s message also cited commentary about Canada’s economic challenges, referencing a Parliamentary Budget Officer assessment and criticizing public figures — including former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney — for promoting policies the Conservatives say have failed to deliver prosperity.

“Pierre Poilievre and Canada’s Conservatives are ready to cut Liberal DEI waste and restore the Canadian dream,” the statement concludes, followed by an urgent fundraising appeal signed by Sarah Fischer.

Read the Blacklock’s Reporter coverage: D.E.I. Spending Tops $1.04B