Government of Canada Taking Action
The Government of Canada is taking action to address the injustices experienced by LGBTQ2 community, individuals and families under federal legislation, policies, and programs. The Government of Canada has created an advisory council to assist in the process and work with member of Parliament Randy Boissonnault, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues, with the aim of formulating an inclusive and meaningful apology directed at Canadians harmed by these policies.
The advisory council is composed of 11 Canadians whose perspective are informed by their lived experience and links to LGBTQ communities.
Editor Note added October 13, 2017 11:40 AM PST
It has come to our attention that the Survey was removed from the Egale website just after we published this article. The Egale link below will still take to you the Egale website where you will find other important information. Please contact any of the Advisory Council Members if you want to submit or provide information. Keep yourself in the loop by following this link to the Government of Canada: Free to be me page. The government is expected to make an apology by the end of the year.
Egale, Canada Human Rights Trust has an online Apology Survey, and you are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey wants your perspective on why the Government of Canada should apologize to LGBTQ Canadians, and any specifics of wrongs that you feel should be addressed. You can access the survey by following this link.
EGALE SURVEY
Advisory Council Members
Randy Boissonnault , Member of Parliament and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues.
Albert McLeod , a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis community of Norway House in Northern Manitoba. Albert is a human rights activist and a director of the Two-Spirited People of Manitoba.
Svend Robinson , First openly gay Member of Parliament in Canada. With many years of LGBT advocacy in Canada and internationally.
Helen Kennedy , a founding member of Canadians for Equal Marriage and Egale’s executive director, Helen has been involved with many organizations over the past 22 years, and is Co-Secretary General of the International Gay, Lesbian, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
Laurent Maurice Lafontant , director of two short documentaries on the issue of homosexuality within Montreal’s black communities. Laurent is the coordinator for Massimadi, an Afro-Caribbean LGBTQ film and arts festival.
Marni Panas , Senior Advisor Diversity and Inclusion with one of Canada’s largest employers. Marni is a transgender women, she received the Human Rights award from the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights.
Marie-Laure Leclercq , Trailblazer and pillar of the LGBTQ community. In 2017, she was invited to present the Canadian Bar Association position to the Senate Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs regarding Bill C-16.
Sue Genge , Advocate and author, she is the author and editor of several publications including material for unions on workers in gender transition and a guide for LGBT allies.
Reverend Gary Paterson , ordained minister of the United Church of Canada and former Moderator. Gary was the first openly gay leader of a mainstream denomination. Married to Rev. Tim Stevenson, a Vancouver City Councillor, Gary and Tim celebrated their 35 th anniversary last June.
Shelly Colter , retired as a Major from the Royal Canadian Air Force after a 24 year career. Having worked as a UN Peacekeeper in 1999, she was deployed as part of NATO forces. Shelly currently provides counseling services in the Ottawa area.
Government of Canada: Free to be me
