Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.

Along with apology, Liberals want to expunge criminal records of Canadians convicted of gay sex

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marches in the Ottawa Capital Pride parade, Aug. 27, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA – The Liberal government will introduce legislation Tuesday to expunge the criminal records of Canadians previously convicted of consensual sexual activity with same-sex partners.

Story continues below advertisement

The new bill is being timed to coincide with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s long-awaited apology for state-sanctioned discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community.

The legislation was promised back in June and the government recently set aside $4 million to support the process.

READ MORE: Trudeau to offer formal apology to Canadians fired from public service for being gay

The daily email you need for 's top news stories.

Notice of the pending bill came Friday as lawyers for more than 2,000 people who are suing the government over alleged persecution by the government for their sexual orientation continued their negotiations.

WATCH: Mulcair presses Trudeau to stand up to anti-LGBTQ persecution in Chechnya

They’re hoping that, too, gets settled in time for the apology, a sentiment echoed by the federal NDP.

Story continues below advertisement

NDP MP Peter Julian says while apologies make an important statement, it’s the actions that follow from the government that will make them meaningful.

Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article