Justin Trudeau says world leaders have a responsibility to march at Pride

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has attended a Pride march with his family – and said leaders should be “expected” to march at Pride.

The Liberal leader, a strong supporter of LGBT equality, has taken part in Pride marches a number of times since becoming Prime Minister.

He made an appearance at this weekend’s Pride celebrations in Halifax, marching alongside his wife and young children.

The leader, who also posed for photos with drag performers at the event, said he is “looking forward” to it no longer being remarkable that he attends Pride events.

He told reporters: “I’ll be the first prime minister to walk in the Pride parade in Halifax, but I’m very much looking forward to getting that over with so there won’t be any more firsts, and that it just be expected that prime ministers, when their schedules allow, march in Pride parades across the country.

“[It’s] not just diversity of backgrounds, but it’s a diversity of everything that makes us different as Canadians and that includes standing up strongly for the rights of the LGBT2Q community.”

Last month Trudeau marked Pride Month by announcing the government will introduce legislation to make it possible to erase the convictions for Canadians who were found guilty under historical, unjust laws for sexual activity with a same sex partner.

The government says the legislation – expected to be introduced later this year – will be another concrete step towards acknowledging and addressing injustices faced by LGBTQ2 communities.

Prime Minister Trudeau said: “Our government believes in equality and equal treatment for all Canadians.

“That is why we are moving forward on legislation that makes it possible to erase the convictions of Canadians who were unjustly convicted of a crime – simply for who they were, or who they loved.