<p>Canada on Tuesday moved to expunge historical convictions for abortions or indecency -- laws that are no longer on the books and that have traditionally harmed women and members of the LGBTQ community.</p>.<p>The announcement builds on a 2018 law that sought to correct past injustices and created a path for individuals to clear their criminal records.</p>.<p>A year earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially apologized for government policies and practices that led to oppression and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.</p>.<p>Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told a news conference on Tuesday that "convictions under the Criminal Code for bawdy houses and indecency-based offences are now eligible for expungement."</p>.<p>"Historically, Canada has criminalized venues that were considered to be safe spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, such as bath houses, nightclubs and swingers' clubs," he said.</p>.<p>"And as a result, owners, employees and patrons of these venues were convicted under the Criminal Code unjustly."</p>.<p>Mendicino also announced that anyone convicted of abortion-related offences would be eligible for expungement.</p>.<p>Canada's high court struck down restrictions on abortions in 1988, while bawdy house offences were repealed in 2019.</p>.<p>Applying for an expungement order is free, and family members or trustees can apply on behalf of people who have died.</p>
<p>Canada on Tuesday moved to expunge historical convictions for abortions or indecency -- laws that are no longer on the books and that have traditionally harmed women and members of the LGBTQ community.</p>.<p>The announcement builds on a 2018 law that sought to correct past injustices and created a path for individuals to clear their criminal records.</p>.<p>A year earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially apologized for government policies and practices that led to oppression and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.</p>.<p>Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told a news conference on Tuesday that "convictions under the Criminal Code for bawdy houses and indecency-based offences are now eligible for expungement."</p>.<p>"Historically, Canada has criminalized venues that were considered to be safe spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, such as bath houses, nightclubs and swingers' clubs," he said.</p>.<p>"And as a result, owners, employees and patrons of these venues were convicted under the Criminal Code unjustly."</p>.<p>Mendicino also announced that anyone convicted of abortion-related offences would be eligible for expungement.</p>.<p>Canada's high court struck down restrictions on abortions in 1988, while bawdy house offences were repealed in 2019.</p>.<p>Applying for an expungement order is free, and family members or trustees can apply on behalf of people who have died.</p>