“We welcome Egale’s report and applaud all their hard work and advocacy. We share the same values and objectives, and will work with Egale to end discrimination and further guarantee equality for all citizens.”
![Click here to download our report [PDF]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5504a4abe4b07d289191844a/1466004088691-5QW26F8JG15CWEBZE1O5/image-asset.png)
Click here to download our report [PDF]
Canada is poised to make history in the battle for LGBTQ2SI equality. The Orlando massacre has ushered in a global awakening around sexual and gender equality. We hope the international journalist community will come together to start a new conversation. Together, we can take an important step toward equality and protection for all.
NEW:
READ ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENT OF BILL C-66: AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE FOR EXPUNGING HISTORICALLY UNJUST CONVICTION AND TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS
MAIN POINTS:
![Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the Egale report in an interview with Xtra [Links to YouTube].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5504a4abe4b07d289191844a/1467042217105-84W11QWDRPVVJ64698NU/image-asset.jpeg)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the Egale report in an interview with Xtra [Links to YouTube].
“The Just Society will be one in which the rights of minorities will be safe from the whims of intolerant majorities.”
Canada is the first English speaking country in the world moving toward a comprehensive restorative justice process to address queer injustice. We are part of a global movement. Australia and Germany have made great strides toward sexual and gender equality in the last month. Our process will be led by Hon. Frank Iacobucci, recently retired from the Supreme Court of Canada.
As of June 15, the Canadian Prime Minister has replied to Egale indicating he shares our values, and will be making another announcement soon.
Canada was responsible for same-sex marriage equality, and if successful, this will set a global historical precedent.
The Just Society Committee is made up of international journalists, constitutional lawyers, and academics. We are part of a consortium of transnational human rights activists pushing for change in the Commonwealth and around the World.
The committee has asked Prime Minister Trudeau to implement a three stage course of action, to acknowledge the Report’s recommendations by Pride Day on July 3rd with proposed facilitator Frank Iacobucci to identify immediate possible recompenses that could be made to past victims, and to pursue a 12 month plan to rectify LGBTG2SI discriminations embedded within the Criminal Code. There are many different groups affected by discrimination in the Criminal Code, so community consultation is intended to be held at the highest level of importance during this process.
We gave the Government until July 3, 2016 to accept our recommendations. So far, the Government of Canada has accepted the principles underlying our recommendations, and is poised to make an announcement soon.
PRESS CONFERENCE. Watch our press conference at the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
PRESS CLIPPINGS
RECENT
John Ibbitson, “Formal apology for LGBTQ persecution could include compensation: sources” (Nov. 7, 2017) Globe & Mail.
Prime Minister's Office, Government of Canada, "Prime Minister Announced Special Advisor for LGBTQ2S Issues" (15 November 2016).
Michael Motala "In Egale's fight for LBTIQ2S Equality, when it rains, it pours" (17 August 2016) National Magazine, Canadian Bar Association.
Michael Motala, "Canada's action on queer rights is a good first step. Now it's time to go international" (15 August 2016) Globe & Mail.
John Ibbitson, "For persecuted gay Canadians, a symbolic apology holds real meaning" (13 August 2016) Globe & Mail.
Neal Broverman, "Canada is apologizing to its gay citizens - should America follow suit?" (12 August 2016) Advocate.
Globe Editorial, "Gay Canadians, and an apology due" (12 August 2016) Globe & Mail.
Svend Robinson, "For the countless Canadians humiliated by anti-gay policies, healing can - finally - begin" (12 August 2016) Globe & Mail.
John Ibbitson, "Justin Trudeau to apologize for historic persecution of gay Canadians" (11 August 2016) Globe & Mail.
Ashy Mann, "Trudeau says Canada must make amends for past treatment of LGBT people" (25 June 2016) Xtra.
John Ibbitson, "Egale Calls for Trudeau Apology for Historic Mistreatment of LGBT Community" (10 June 2016) Globe & Mail.
John Ibbitson, "Australian apology for anti-gay laws offers an example for Trudeau" (1June 2016) Globe & Mail,
AUTHOR. Maurice Tomlinson is an LGBT activist challenging anti-gay law in Jamaica.
Nikki Wiart “Everett Klippert: An Unlikely Pioneer of gay rights in Canada” (10 June 2016) Maclean’s.
AUTHOR. R. Doug Elliott LSM is the Canadian constitutional lawyer who is responsible for same-sex marriage in Canada.
Nikki Wiart, "Egale's Helen Kennedy on Canada's homophobic, transphobic attack" (13 June 2016) Maclean's,
Dylan C. Robertson, "Groups pressure Canadian feds for official apology” (13 June 2016) Xtra,
Dylan C. Robertson "No more details yet on Liberal promise for LGBT pardons" (8 April 2016) Xtra.
AUTHOR. Michael Motala BA MSc JD('17) MA ('17) is a law student and freelance business journalist.
Amanda Connolly "Equal justice: Orlando proves need for Criminal Code changes, says activist" (13 June 2016) iPolitics.ca
John Ibbitson, Canada can help heal LGBT community by correcting mistakes of the past," (14 June 2016) Globe & Mail
Douglas Quan "We are all targets, activists say" (14 June 2016) National Post.
Michael Motala, “Restoration of queer dignity: toward a more just society” (17 May 2016) Canadian Bar Association National Magazine.
"Canada's PM Justin Trudeau will posthumously pardon man imprisoned for homosexuality" (29 February 2016) LGBTQ Nation.
Chantal Hebert "Canada's patchy history with LGBTQ rights" (17 June 2016) Cape Breton Post.
TIMELINE
