Canada supports the rights of citizens to ‘speak out’ even if it ‘irritates’ India: Trudeau
Hindustan TimesToronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that his government defends the rights of citizens to “speak out” even if it irritates the Narendra Modi government in New Delhi. “The previous Conservative government was known for its very cosy relationship with the current Indian government whereas our government has always stood up to defend the minorities in Canada and the rights of minorities to speak out even if it irritates their home countries overseas.” These remarks came as part of a nearly three-hour long appearance by Trudeau before the ongoing Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, which is headed by Justice Marie-Josee Hogue. “How we stood up for Canadians, including the very serious that I brought forward of the killing of Nijjar, demonstrates our government’s commitment to defending the rights and freedoms of Canadians. He cited “how we stood up for Canadians, including the very serious case that I brought forward to parliament of the killing of Nijjar, demonstrates our government’s commitment to defending the rights and freedoms of Canadians.” Those rights, he said, included those to be free from “extortion, coercion, interference by a country that they left behind”.