WATCH: Trudeau issues formal apology to Italian Canadians for WWII internment

The Prime Minister would tell stories about Italian Canadians, who were designated "enemy aliens" upon Canada's declaration of war on Italy. Some, who had lived in Canada for decades, would end up in internment camps, where they would spend years without seeing a trial.

A news release issued earlier this month announced the move, with Trudeau stating "for far too long, the Italian Canadian community has carried the weight of the unjust policy of internment during the Second World War."

"Later this month, I will deliver a formal apology to acknowledge the wrongs that were done to the Italian community in Canada during the Second World War, and honour the families of those who were interned and discriminated against as a result of this historical injustice," said Trudeau. "Canadians of Italian heritage have made, and continue to make, immense social, economic, and cultural contributions to our country."

Trudeau continued by acknowledging that while they cant undo the past failures, they hope to bring some closure through the apology.

"We cannot undo our past failures, but through this apology we hope to help bring closure to those who were harmed, and ensure the lessons we learned are never forgotten," he continued.

In 1940, Canada interned more than 600 people of Italian heritage, with an additional 31,000 being declared as "enemy aliens."

Justice Minister David Lametti says the internment action came after an order-in-council was put into effect by then-Justice Minister Ernest Lapointe, adding that none of those interned were ever convicted and internees weren't afforded due legal process.

Lametti said that people who made donations to the Italian Red Cross or were members of certain labour groups were placed on RCMP lists.