Happy Pride, Montréal.

(Applause)

What a pleasure it is for me to be back again. This has been a part of my summers for… for a long time since I’ve been here.

But what I want to emphasize is that, every year, we’re so pleased to see MPs from all the different parties. Quebec, more than anywhere else in Canada, has always managed to represent all the different voices, all the different perspectives in this parade. There’s always an opportunity to reflect on the work we have to do.

There’s no doubt that every year we ask the same question. Is it important for politicians to be here at the Pride Parade? The answer is always yes. There’s always more work to do, always more rights to be recognized. We’re working on Trans rights this year.

And I am very pleased to see that it has support across all parties. I am very happy to see Mr. Mulcair, the NDP, well represented here as they always are every year. But I am also very happy to see, I was told, that Bernard Généreux and Sylvie Roy were here, from the Conservative Pary. Welcome. I am very pleased to see you here as well.

It is important that all parties be here, that everyone recognize how the rights of the LGBT community are Canadian rights, are human rights. We are going to continue working hard together, not politically, but in terms of recognizing the open and positive society that we need to have.

And we also have to set an example for the whole planet. We know that people turn to Canada now for an example to watch and we are going to keep on working hard to push the limits of what countries do because the message has to get across that LGBT rights are human rights that must be respected all over the planet.

I am very happy to be here. Have a great parade!

(Applause)