Canadian MP faces social media reaction over acronym usage

Leah Gazan, a member of the Canadian Parliament representing Winnipeg Centre, drew significant attention after using the term MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ during a press conference on April 9, 2026. Gazan criticized the government's 2026 budget, alleging a 7-billion-dollar cut to Indigenous service departments. She described the lack of specific funding as a failure to address the ongoing genocide of the demographic groups represented by the acronym. The acronym stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual, with the plus sign accounting for other gender identities. While critics mocked the length of the term online, supporters noted it reflects the official terminology adopted in the Canadian government’s 2021 National Action Plan. The politician specifically challenged the administration under the leadership of Mark Carney regarding these budget allocations. The incident triggered a broader debate regarding both government fiscal policies toward Indigenous populations and the use of inclusive language in legislative settings.