Mulcair celebrates Pride with pledge to recognize transgender rights and build a more inclusive Canada

Mulcair also promises formal apology and revised service records for those unfairly kicked out of the military because of their orientation

New Democrat leader Tom Mulcair pledged that as prime minister he would legislate equal rights for transgender Canadians and formally apologize to military personnel and civil servants fired because of their sexual orientation.

Mulcair made these commitments as he joined North America's biggest Pride Parade today.

"History has shown us that when you take principled positions you can make a difference,” said Mr. Mulcair. “New Democrats have always been proud to stand with the LGBT community in the fight for equality rights, but we know there's much more to do and today we are announcing some of the first steps an NDP government would take.”

A few weeks ago, the unelected Senate shamelessly blocked Bill C-279, a bill from NDP MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca) aimed at protecting the rights of transgender people. Unelected Senators did so even though the legislation was legitimately adopted two years ago by elected members of all parties in the House of Commons.

Tom Mulcair pledged the NDP would:

• introduce legislation to guarantee equal rights for transgender and gender variant Canadians;
• reverse service records for those unfairly discharged from the Canadian Forces on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity;
• apologize to military personnel and civil servants fired on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“As we celebrate today the pride we have living in an inclusive society we must also acknowledge the mistakes of the past and pledge to work together to ensure that in the future, the rights of all Canadians will be protected,” said Mr. Mulcair. “We are ready to accomplish real change and build a better, more progressive Canada."