Trudeau celebrates diversity with Liberal team in Montréal

August 16, 2015

MONTRÉAL – Today, the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, is participating in the Montréal pride parade, sharing his message of diversity, unity, and inclusion for all Canadians.

“Our country is made stronger not in spite of our differences, but precisely because of them,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Canadians know that protecting and promoting fundamental human rights must be an imperative for governments and individuals alike, and this includes gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.”

Over the years, Canada has made significant progress in affording members of our LGBTQ2 community respect, recognition, and legal rights. It was a Liberal government that decriminalized homosexuality in 1969, introduced the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, and added sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination to the Canadian Human Rights Act in 1996. A Liberal government also brought in equal marriage in 2005 under Prime Minister Paul Martin. While Canada has long been a model nation to the world, there remains much to be done both at home and abroad to truly end discrimination. Liberals will fight to end the ban on MSM blood donation in Canada, as well as champion full and equal rights for transgender Canadians – rights that Stephen Harper’s Conservatives oppose.

“Events like the Montréal pride parade allow Canadians to come together in celebration of the rich diversity that is at the heart of our national fabric and shared identity,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Liberals have long been champions of our Canadian rights and freedoms, and we will forever remain loyal defenders of the values on which our country was founded: acceptance, liberty, and mutual respect.”