WATCH: Canadian Conservative MP advocates in parliament for global LGBTQ rights
Aitchison called on Canada to do more to ensure LGBTQ individuals the world over receive the same rights as they do in the great white north.
Aitchison called on Canada to do more to ensure LGBTQ individuals the world over receive the same rights as they do in the great white north.

On Tuesday, Conservative Member of Parliament Scott Aitchison lamented the fact that in certain parts of the world, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex continue to face persecution.
The representative for Parry Sound-Muskoka suggested that members of those groups are "not free," and called on Canada to do more to ensure they receive the same rights as they do in the great white north.
https://rumble.com/embed/v2bp1ii/?pub=2n05b
"In over seventy countries today," Aitchison began, "the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer individuals are crimininalized, and in twelve of those countries consensual same sex may be punished by death. Their only crime? Being themselves."
He went on to cite a speech delivered by John Diefenbaker the night before the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1960, in which former prime minister "declared ... his pledge to uphold our heritage of freedom for all mankind."
"That pledge was a call to action for all Canadians," Aitchison continued. "In our world today, the LGBTIQ community is not free ... Each and every one of us are called to make Canada more than a mere symbol of freedom; Canada must be a champion for freedom, human rights, dignity, for all people, not just here, but around the world."
After posting his comments to Twitter, Aitchison was slammed by many who questioned whether he was a true conservative.
https://twitter.com/BillboardChris/status/1638332351481630720
"This is what Canadian CONSERVATIVES waste their time speaking about," Billboard Chris wrote, calling Aitchison "a complete embarrassment [him] and [his] entire party."
While Aitchison delivered his remarks, however, Uganda was in the process of increasing its persecution of LGBTQ individuals via a new bill that easily passed through parliament.
As the BBC reports, under the new policy, anyone who simply identifies as gay risks life imprisonment, and in certain cases, the death penalty. The laws are also set to be changed to make it the duty of all citizens to report individuals in same-sex relationships to law enforcement.
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.