The Government of Canada is facing a class-action lawsuit.
According to the claim, between the 1950’s and 1990’s the military systematically worked to identify and purge gays and lesbians from their ranks.
John McKiggan of McKiggan Hebert Lawyers in Halifax has partnered with Koskie Minsky in Toronto to bring the $150 million suit.
McKiggan calls this a sad chapter in Canadian history.
“If the general public was aware of the intimidation and harassment that homosexual members of the military had to endure simply because they wanted to serve their country, they’d be outraged.”
McKiggan says after working on this file for years, it is time to move forward with the lawsuit.
“Given that the prime minister of Canada has already apologized to members of the military for these discriminatory practices, it would be somewhat contradictory if Canada took a hard line in denying that these activities took place.”
McKiggan hopes government will settle quickly so the many former service-people affected can move on with their lives.
