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November 7th, 2017

NDP calls for a just apology, not just an apology, for the LGBTQ community

Today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, along with NDP LGBTQ Critic and Deputy Critic, Randall Garrison and Sheri Benson, are calling on the Prime Minister to provide a just apology to the LGBTQ community for the historic treatment of LGBTQ Canadians.

“Justin Trudeau has committed to an official apology to LGBTQ Canadians, but the NDP wants to make sure that it is more than just an apology. The LGTBQ Canadians deserve a just apology,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “While there has been progress on achieving equal rights for the LGBTQ community in Canada, there remains much unfinished business. An official apology that includes redress measures would be an important step forward.”
“For an apology for past injustices against our community to have meaning it must be an apology by the Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, and one which includes redress measures,” said Garrison. “The Liberals know what is required for an apology to the LGBTQ community to be meaningful, and it’s about time they take action. Otherwise, their words are meaningless.”

The NDP has been fighting for redress measures for the LGBTQ community since 2014, and has twice tabled measures calling for the revision of service records for those who were unjustly given dishonourable discharges from the Canadian Forces. New Democrats are also calling on the Liberals’ to expunge criminal records of those who were subject to criminal procedures because of their sexual orientation, which restricted and continues to restrict, their ability to travel, volunteer and work, despite these acts no longer being illegal. These are the most important examples of redress measures that must accompany the apology.

“We have waited two years for the Liberals to act, but New Democrats remain hopeful that the LGBTQ apology will be sincere and meaningful and that it includes redress measures that many in our community have waited decades for,” added Benson. “We’ve waited long enough, and hope to see a just apology, not just an apology, from the Prime Minister in the House of Commons very soon.”