The Canadian Armed Forces with be taking steps to recruit more gay and transgender troops, the Defence Minister has said.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, said the government is fully committed to building a defence team that “reflects Canadian ideals of diversity, respect and inclusion.”
“Our diversity strategy and action plan will promote an institution-wide culture that embraces diversity and inclusion, and we will continue to focus on the recruitment and retention of under-represented groups within the Canadian Forces’ ranks,” she said in a statement to CBC News.
This development comes after protests and uproar in the United States, where President Donald Trump has moved to bar transgenders from the military citing out of control costs and a logistical nightmare.
The Canadian Armed Forces tweeted about its welcoming approach to recruitment on Wednesday afternoon.
“We welcome Cdns of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Join us!” it reads, with a photograph of Royal Canadian Navy Band members playing instruments festooned in Pride colours.
Trump’s ban was however received with strong applause from his conservative base in the United States, and hailed by other places where the President’s conservative policies have support across the world, including countries as far away as Nigeria.
Leave a Reply