Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says his response to the apology for past state-sanctioned discrimination against LGBTQ people in Canada was sincere, but some of his MPs say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau crossed the line.
Conservative MP Harold Albrecht said Trudeau strayed too far past apologizing for historical wrongs when he expressed his support for children discovering their sexual orientation or gender identity at a young age.
“It went beyond an apology,” Albrecht said Wednesday when asked why he was among a handful of Conservatives who did not rise to their feet with the rest of the witnesses to the keenly anticipated expression of regret in the House of Commons Tuesday.
“When you start talking about six-year-olds, in that context, I’m not there,” he said.
Towards the end of his speech, Trudeau had included a message to children.
“To the kids who are listening at home and who fear rejection because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity and expression, and to those who are nervous and scared, but also excited at what their future might hold: we are all worthy of love, and deserving of respect,” said Trudeau, whose two eldest children, Xavier and Ella-Grace, were watching from one of the galleries.
“And whether you discover your truth at six or 16 or 60, who you are is valid.”
Conservative MP Ted Falk acknowledged his response to the remarks by Trudeau was lacking in enthusiasm.
“I firmly believe in the apology and I stand behind the apology,” said Falk. “I think some of the statements went further than that.”
Conservative MP David Tilson, meanwhile, said his choice to sit throughout the apology was unrelated to its content.
“I broke my ankle,” he said.
Scheer, who voted against the transgender rights bill and has refused to take part in gay pride parades, is among those in his caucus who hold socially conservative views.
full story at https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2017/11/29/pm-trudeau-strayed-too-far-from-historic-wrongs-in-lgbtq-apology-tory-mps-2/#.Wh8gGVWnGUk