The Latest: Opposition says Trudeau unfit to lead Canada


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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The Latest on the emergence of a photo showing Canadian leader Justin Trudeau in brownface makeup at a costume party in 2001 (all times local):

10:10 p.m.

Conservative leader Andrew Scheer says a yearbook photo showing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in brownface makeup at a costume party in 2001 shows he is not fit to govern Canada.

Scheer says what Canadians are seeing is a man who lacks judgment and integrity. He says wearing brownface was racist in 2001 and it is racist in 2019.

Scheer made the brief statement Wednesday night and did not take questions.

Scheer is the leader of the main opposition party that is looking to unseat Trudeau in the upcoming election.

The photo of the then 29-year-old Trudeau shows him wearing a turban and robe, with dark makeup on his hands, face and neck.

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9:55 p.m.

The first visible minority to lead a national party in Canada says a photo showing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in brownface makeup at a costume party in 2001 is insulting.

Leftist New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh is the head of a party that holds the third most seats in Parliament. He is a Sikh who wears a turban.

The photo of the then 29-year-old Trudeau shows him wearing a turban and robe, with dark makeup on his hands, face and neck.

Singh said Wednesday Trudeau's actions made a mockery of people.

He said some people would now be reliving the pain of past racist experiences, such as being mocked for their skin color or having their turban ripped off their head.

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8:20 p.m.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he made a mistake when he wore brownface makeup at a party in 2001, and should have known better.

Trudeau made the comments shortly after Time magazine published the photo. Time says the photo came from the yearbook from the West Point Grey Academy, a private school in British Columbia where Trudeau worked as a teacher before entering politics.

The photo depicts Trudeau wearing a turban and robe, with dark makeup on his hands, face and neck.

Trudeau told reporters traveling with him on his campaign plane Wednesday: "I'm pissed off at myself; I'm disappointed in myself."

He said it was a racist act, though he didn't realize it at the time. Trudeau he says he knows better now.

The prime minister said he made a mistake and asked Canadians to forgive him.

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8:04 p.m.

Canadian leader Justin Trudeau's campaign for national elections has been hit by the publication of a yearbook photo showing him in brownface makeup at a costume party in 2001.

Time magazine posted the photo, which it says was published in the yearbook from the West Point Grey Academy, a private school in British Columbia where Trudeau worked as a teacher before entering politics. The photo depicts Trudeau wearing a turban and robe, with dark makeup on his hands, face and neck.

Liberal Party spokesman Cameron Ahmad confirms the photo is of Trudeau. He says it was taken at the school's annual dinner which had an "Arabian Nights" theme that year. Trudeau was dressed as a character from "Aladdin."

Trudeau was expected to speak to reporters about the photo later tonight.

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