Close X
Monday, November 18, 2024
ADVT 
National

Pride Flag Raised On Parliament Hill In All-Party Show Of Support

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jun, 2016 10:39 AM
    OTTAWA — The Pride flag flew on Parliament Hill on Wednesday in a historic all-party show of support to mark the start of the month celebrating Canada's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
     
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had the honour of raising the distinctive rainbow banner on the Hill for the first time at a celebration attended by MPs from all federal parties, as well as dozens of onlookers.
     
    "This is a great day for Canada and it is part of a long series of milestones this country has hit over the years," Trudeau said. 
     
    "It hasn't been easy, it hasn't been automatic. A lot of people fought for a long time for this day and for the many days that led up to this day to happen."
     
    The fact that MPs from across the political spectrum attended sends a significant message, he added.
     
    "Canada is united in its defence of rights and in standing up for LGBTQ rights; this is what we are truly celebrating today," he said to cheers and applause under a hot late-spring sun.
     
    Trudeau said there is still more work to do, pointing to a bill introduced by his government last month to strengthen transgender rights following several attempts by private members to do so under past governments.
     
    Trudeau will make more history this month when he becomes the first sitting prime minister to attend Pride parades.
     
    Wednesday's event was the first time the Pride flag has flown on Parliament Hill.
     
     
    It was raised on the west lawn after six weeks of negotiations led by Edmonton MP Randy Boissonnault, who said the idea was suggested in conjunction with a two-day conference on LGBT rights currently taking place in Ottawa.
     
    He said he was given just 48 hours notice that raising the flag would be permitted and paid tribute to the fact he had support from all parties in the House to make it happen.
     
    He said the fact the flag was raised sends a crucial signal.
     
    "It says that this is a government, this is a Parliament, that believes in inclusion and diversity," he said.
     
    Over the weekend, the federal Conservatives took their own step forward on LGBT issues by dropping language from their policy handbook opposing same-sex marriage.
     
    Trudeau mocked their conversation, noting it was coming more than a decade after the Liberal government had made same-sex marriage legal.
     
     
    "Well, better late than never," he said. 
     
    Only three flags are allowed to fly from the Peace Tower itself — the Maple Leaf and the two banners belonging to the governor general and the Queen.
     
    There is a courtesy pole that's used to fly the flags for visiting dignitaries, but a special one was set up for the Pride event.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Manitoba Tory Leader Defends Spending One-Fifth Of His Time In Costa Rica

    Manitoba Tory Leader Defends Spending One-Fifth Of His Time In Costa Rica
    WINNIPEG — Manitoba's Progressive Conservative leader is defending spending one-fifth of his time as Opposition leader in Costa Rica.

    Manitoba Tory Leader Defends Spending One-Fifth Of His Time In Costa Rica

    Court Rejects Saskatchewan Man's Appeal Of Sentence In Fatal Drunk Driving Crash

    Court Rejects Saskatchewan Man's Appeal Of Sentence In Fatal Drunk Driving Crash
    Blaine Taypotat was given 9 1/2 years for killing 23-year-old Justin Knackstedt near Saskatoon in May 2013.

    Court Rejects Saskatchewan Man's Appeal Of Sentence In Fatal Drunk Driving Crash

    Crown Wants Accused Teen Shooter On Saskatchewan First Nation Sentenced As Adult

    Crown Wants Accused Teen Shooter On Saskatchewan First Nation Sentenced As Adult
    The teen, who is now 18, allegedly shot and killed two teenaged brothers and a teacher and a teacher's aide in the small Dene community of La Loche on Jan. 22.

    Crown Wants Accused Teen Shooter On Saskatchewan First Nation Sentenced As Adult

    Coroner's Jury Seeks Taser Review, Better Mental Health Services In Rural B.C.

    Coroner's Jury Seeks Taser Review, Better Mental Health Services In Rural B.C.
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A coroner's jury in Kamloops B.C., has concluded an inquest into the death of 18-year-old Jacob Setah by calling for better mental health services in rural communities.

    Coroner's Jury Seeks Taser Review, Better Mental Health Services In Rural B.C.

    Calgary Marriage Counsellor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Client

    Calgary Marriage Counsellor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Client
    Police have charged a Calgary couples therapist with sexual assaulting one of his clients.

    Calgary Marriage Counsellor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Client

    Vancouver Aquatic Centre To Close Rather Than Rub Shoulders With Annual 4/20 Marijuana Protest

    Vancouver Aquatic Centre To Close Rather Than Rub Shoulders With Annual 4/20 Marijuana Protest
    Concerns about marijuana smoke seeping in to the ventilation system and misuse of city property have prompted the closure of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre on April 20 while an annual pot protest is held nearby

    Vancouver Aquatic Centre To Close Rather Than Rub Shoulders With Annual 4/20 Marijuana Protest