Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a historic apology to LGBT Canadians in the House of Commons today, saying sorry for decades of “state-sponsored, systematic oppression and rejection.”
Speaking to a packed and emotional chamber, Trudeau expressed shame, sorrow and deep regret to the civil servants, military members and criminalized Canadians who endured discrimination and injustice based on their sexual orientation.
“You are professionals. You are patriots. And above all, you are innocent. And for all your suffering, you deserve justice, and you deserve peace,” he said.
“It is our collective shame that you were so mistreated. And it is our collective shame that this apology took so long – many who suffered are no longer alive to hear these words. And for that, we are truly sorry.”
MPs rose together in applause to the apology, which at times brought Trudeau to tears.
Recounting how lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit Canadians were ruined by irreparable pain and grief, Trudeau said they were discriminated against by laws that “bolstered and emboldened” those who weren’t heterosexual.
“Our laws made private and consensual sex between same-sex partners a criminal offence, leading to the unjust arrest, conviction, and imprisonment of Canadians,” he said. “This criminalization would have lasting impacts for things like employment, volunteering, and travel.
Laws and policies enacted by the government legitimized hatred and violence, and public service, foreign service and members of the military and RCMP were all targeted and persecuted in what Trudeau called “nothing short of a witch-hunt.”
“From the 1950s to the early 1990s, the government of Canada exercised its authority in a cruel and unjust manner, undertaking a campaign of oppression against members, and suspected members, of the LGBT communities,” he said.
“Those who admitted they were gay were fired, discharged, or intimidated into resignation. They lost dignity, lost careers, and had their dreams and indeed, their lives, shattered.”
‘Turning point’
Trudeau said he hopes today is a “turning point,” but called on Canadians to commit to ending discrimination against LGBT persons, who still face higher rates of aggression, violence, mental health issues and homelessness.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer condemned past state policies that not only failed to protect citizens and public employees, but actually perpetrated injustices with “over-reaching governments.”
He pointed to the targeting of military men and women who were serving their country as particularly egregious.
“This type of insult is difficult to imagine and impossible to measure,” he said.
Earlier today, the Liberal government tabled a bill that will allow people convicted of historical same-sex offences to have their criminal records expunged.
Proposed legislation aims to correct a “historical injustice” now recognized as the criminalization of same-sex activity by consenting adults, effectively removing from the record convictions that would today be inconsistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wipes his eye while he is applauded as he delivers a formal apology to LGBT people in Canada in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov.28, 2017. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
The Expungement of Historically Unjust Convictions Act, Bill C-66, also allows for spouses, parents, siblings, children or legal representatives to apply for record expungement on behalf of deceased persons.
It gives the Parole Board of Canada jurisdiction to order or refuse to order the expungement of convictions for past Criminal Code offences that include gross indecency, buggery and anal intercourse.
If the conviction is expunged, the RCMP is to notify municipal, provincial and judicial authorities to order that all records be destroyed.
Scott Bardsley, spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, said there are 9,000 historical records of convictions for gross indecency, buggery and anal intercourse in RCMP databases, but not all of them will be eligible for expungement.
“Since these offences identified both consensual and non-consensual activities, the charge information alone would not make the distinction,” he wrote in an email. “Applicants will need to provide evidence that the conviction meets established criteria.”
Similar bill in New Zealand
A similar bill was tabled in New Zealand earlier this year, allowing for the expungement of criminal records for historical offences such as indecency, sodomy and keeping a place of resort for homosexual acts.
The New Zealand bill’s first reading in July 2017 was accompanied by a formal apology to those convicted of historical homosexual offences, and was then referred to the justice committee.
Arriving for a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill today, Trudeau called it an “important day” for the LGBT community and for all Canadians.
“We need to recognize ills of the past in order to move forward, and that’s what we’re taking responsibility for,” he said.
Trudeau apologized for actions the government took against thousands of workers in the Canadian military and public service in the 1950s to the 1990s, including thousands who were fired because of their sexuality as part of a “national security” purge.
Some gay members of the Canadian Armed Forces were also discharged for what was termed “psychopathic personality with abnormal sexuality.”
Vigilance required
The government will also earmark more than $100 million to compensate LGBT civil servants whose careers were sidelined or ended because of their sexuality.
Ontario Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, who is gay, was overcome with emotion today. He said an apology tells people it’s not OK to be homophobic or transphobic, but warned that media, teachers, politicians and others must be vigilant in promoting equality.
“It’s very important that we start here, but that we don’t stop here,” he said.