Watch Canada’s Prime Minister Explain Why His Pink Shirt Is So Important

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Pink Shirt Day / Journée du chandail roseOn Pink Shirt Day, we stand up to bullying and vow to spread kindness.Durant la Journée du chandail rose, nous disons non à l’intimidation et nous nous engageons à répandre la gentillesse.
Posted by Justin Trudeau on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau donned a pink T-shirt over his dress shirt and tie on Wednesday to speak out against bullying. The occasion was Canada's Pink Shirt Day, an international campaign aimed at promoting anti-bullying and raising money for organizations that support children's mental health.

Pink Shirt Day, which is now held every Feb. 24, started in 2007 after a child in Nova Scotia was threatened and called gay for wearing a pink shirt, Trudeau explains in a video posted to his Facebook page. Two older students decided to show solidarity with the bullying victim, and organized for dozens of people to wear pink shirts to school the next day. News of the incident spread across Canadian media and spurred a larger anti-bullying movement.

The CKNW Orphans' Fund sponsors Pink Shirt Day, and says it has raised over CA$1.2 million in donations since the event's inception. 

A number of schools, police officers, firefighters and other politicians also showed their support for the campaign on Wednesday. One of the prominent political figures to take part was Navdeep Bains, Canada's minister of innovation, science and economic development, who put his own spin on the campaign.

 

Today I’m participating in #pinkshirtday because I believe kindness speaks louder than bullying. pic.twitter.com/K5MpOdyKxW
— Navdeep Bains (@NavdeepSBains) February 24, 2016

Trudeau, who rose to power last year amid a wave of popular support for Canada's Liberal Party, has taken to using his office to address social issues. In January, he also spoke out against stigmas surrounding mental illness, referencing his mother's struggles with depression and bipolar disorder. 

My mother is an inspiration. Her bravery in discussing mental health struggles has opened the door for others. RT to support #BellLetsTalk.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 27, 2016

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