[WATCH] Trudeau apologises for Canada’s history of LGBT discrimination

LIVE NOW – Official apology in the House for the state-sponsored, systemic oppression, and rejection of LGBTQ2 people: https://t.co/55bmrnw6vZ

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 28, 2017

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised for historical injustices against the LGBT community.

Trudeau apologised for the hundreds of gay men and women who were fired from their government jobs and the military during the Cold War. During this time, the Canadian government regarded gay employees as more vulnerable to blackmail y Soviet agents.

They were interrogated about their lives and forces to inform on their friends. Trudeau called it "nothing short of a witch-hunt."

The government has also earmarked £58m(C$100m) to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by LGBT victims.

The prime minister, who teared up as he spoke, also proposed a bill in parliament which would allow the courts to expunge the records of people criminalised for their sexuality.

"It is with shame and sorrow and deep regret for the things we have done that I stand here today and say: We were wrong. We apologise. I am sorry. We are sorry," he said in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Trudeau’s words were greeted with a round of applause from all parties.

He also spoke about past discrimination against gay marriage and gay works of art which were often banned as “obscene”.

"While we may regard modern Canada as a forward-thinking and progressive nation, we cannot forget our past," he said.

The Canadian military ended discrimination policies against gay people in 1992, after former Army officer Michelle Douglas sued the government.

Four years later, the Canadian Human Rights Act was amended to include sexual orientation. Gender identity and gender orientation were also added in 2017.

"We are all worthy of love. Whether you discover who you are at six, 16 or 60, we are all valid," Trudeau said.