Canada moves to expunge historical abortion, indecency convictions / Photo: André PAIN - AFP/File
-
India's 'cockroach' movement chief detained ahead of major protest
-
Trump sows doubt on plan to livestream US military execution
-
Year later, Gaza ceasefire promises mostly unfulfilled
-
Hunger and malnutrition stalk Gazans, a year on from ceasefire
-
Taiwan's leader says increasing defence spending to 'deter war'
-
Fernandez trumps MotoGP championship duo to grab Indonesia pole
-
Major quake hits Panama, no deaths reported
-
October 7 scars push Israel's first-time voters to right
-
Hurricane Isaias makes landfall in Florida
-
India deploys police, restricts transport ahead of major protest
-
Brazil prosecutors sue Shell for $108 mn over deadly 2024 floods
-
Three Mexicans convicted in murders of Australian, US surfers
-
Major earthquake destroys buildings, roads in Panama
-
Powerful waves lash California coast as storm threatens more damage
-
Anthropic AI model sent fake murder tip to Philadelphia police
-
Trump hails Russia deal to release diesel as midterms loom
-
7.7-magnitude quake rocks Panama, triggers tsunami warning
-
Lyon blow chance to go top after loss at Lens
-
Prince Harry booed at English rugby match
-
Stocks rise as Trump says Russia to release diesel to world markets
-
Kiplimo and Feysa seek repeat Chicago Marathon wins
-
Wildfire smoke shuts schools in Amazon's biggest city
-
Fuellkrug halts Dortmund after late goal flurry
-
Turkey jails 2 journalists pending trial for fund crisis 'misinformation'
-
Injured Ravens quarterback Jackson ruled out of Falcons clash
-
Major earthquake rocks Panama, triggers tsunami warning
-
Brewers aim to take down two-time defending champion Dodgers in NLCS rematch
-
Indian jailed in France for leading sadist Nazi cult that tortured girls
-
Tsunami alert after major earthquake rocks Panama
-
'Iron Mike' Ditka hailed as 'gold standard' NFL legend
-
Outer bands of Hurricane Isaias lash US Gulf Coast
-
Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport: UAE prosecutor
-
Hope, Rutherford fire West Indies to record T20 chase of 250
-
Mike Ditka: Chicago Bears icon as player and coach
-
Farhan leads Pakistan to T20 win over Sri Lanka
-
Outrage over plan to livestream US military firing squad execution
-
Turkey sack coach Montella after Nations League woe
-
US sanctions: a 'test of resilience' for ICC
-
US announces sanctions on ICC, hours after Nobel award to former judge
-
NFL legend Mike Ditka dead at 86
-
Montenegro expels popular Russian war blogger wanted by US
-
Hurricane Isaias set to strike Gulf Coast late Friday
-
Rubio calls on all Venezuela opposition figures to join talks with govt
-
Trump forms panel to probe US Fed governor Lisa Cook
-
Australia struggle against South Africa quicks in first Test
-
Clashes in Durban as fresh anti-migrant riots erupt in South Africa
-
Stocks advance as Trump rules out pre-vote Iran attack
-
France students plan more protests, UN 'concerned' over violence
-
Australia struggle against South Africa's fast bowlers
-
De Zerbi calls on struggling Spurs to react in Man Utd clash
Canada moves to expunge historical abortion, indecency convictions
Canada on Tuesday moved to expunge historical convictions for abortions or indecency -- laws that are no longer on the books and that have traditionally harmed women and members of the LGBTQ community.
The announcement builds on a 2018 law that sought to correct past injustices and created a path for individuals to clear their criminal records.
A year earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially apologized for government policies and practices that led to oppression and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told a news conference on Tuesday that "convictions under the Criminal Code for bawdy houses and indecency-based offences are now eligible for expungement."
"Historically, Canada has criminalized venues that were considered to be safe spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, such as bath houses, nightclubs and swingers' clubs," he said.
"And as a result, owners, employees and patrons of these venues were convicted under the Criminal Code unjustly."
Mendicino also announced that anyone convicted of abortion-related offences would be eligible for expungement.
Canada's high court struck down restrictions on abortions in 1988, while bawdy house offences were repealed in 2019.
Applying for an expungement order is free, and family members or trustees can apply on behalf of people who have died.
B.Mahmoud--SF-PST
