Canadian PM Justin Trudeau apologises to the nation
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OTTAWA: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has delivered a formal and historic apology in the House of Commons to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit Canadians (LGBTQ2) oppressed and discriminated by past federal legislation, policies and practices.
Speaking to a packed and emotional chamber, Trudeau said on Tuesday "it is our collective shame that Canadians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or two-spirit were unjustly treated - fired from jobs, denied promotions, surveilled, arrested, convicted, and vindictively shamed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity", Xinhua reported.
"People lost their livelihoods, their families, and, some, their lives. Today, we offer a long overdue apology to all those whom we, the Government of Canada, wronged. We are sorry. We hope by acknowledging our failings we can make the crucial progress LGBTQ2 people in Canada deserve, " he said.
