After becoming the first Taoiseach to march in Dublin Pride in June, Leo Varadkar attended Montreal Pride yesterday, marching alongside the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

Kicking off Montreal #Pride with @CanadianPM – #FierteMTL ! ?? ?? ?️‍? pic.twitter.com/tf1L0czFV9

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) August 20, 2017

Pro-Choice advocates took this opportunity to highlight that the Taoiseach ignoring certain aspects of human rights is not an adequate approach.

Consequently, from Varadkar’s visit to Canada and attendance at Montreal Pride with Justin Trudeau, the hashtag #JustinformLeo was born which called on the Canadian Prime Minister to ‘inform Leo’ on the subject of abortion.

Repeal

The Coalition to Repeal the 8th’s Ailbhe Smyth said: “I would really like to see someone like Leo Varadkar would have an understanding that it is not enough to come out in favour of one aspect of human rights while completely ignoring another.”

While in Ireland, abortion has been singled out with special legal treatment, the procedure is handled entirely differently in Canada, Smyth explained.

“The principle is a very interesting one, which says abortion is a medical procedure which falls within the general provision of reproductive and maternal health services, rather than singling it out for special legal treatment as is the case here in Ireland.”

Trending

On Saturday, the hashtag #JustinformLeo went viral, with pro-choice advocates taking the opportunity to capitalise on the growing ties between Trudeau and Varadkar.

“Will @JustinTrudeau tell @campaignforleo that everybody knows Ireland’s secret and forcing women to leave is not the answer? #justinformleo,” The Coalition to Repeal the Eight tweeted.

Will @JustinTrudeau tell @campaignforleo that everybody knows Ireland's secret & forcing women to leave is not the answer? #justinformleo pic.twitter.com/mjsBqJ7wC1

— RepealEight (@repealeight) August 19, 2017

“Hey @JustinTrudea could you tell Leo that Irish rape survivors who get abortions face longer prison sentences than rapists? #Justinformleo,” wrote Sarah Magliocco.

Hey @JustinTrudeau could you tell Leo that Irish rape survivors who get abortions face longer prison sentences than rapists? #Justinformleo

— Sarah Magliocco (@SarahMagliocco) August 19, 2017

“The UN Human Rights Committee describes Ireland’s abortion laws as ‘cruel and inhumane’. @JustinTrudea @campaignforleo #justinformleo,” Kerry For Choice tweeted along with an image that reads “Denying us access to safe, legal abortion violates our human rights. #Repealthe8th”.

The UN Human Rights Committee describes Ireland's abortion laws as "cruel and inhumane". @JustinTrudeau @campaignforleo #justinformleo pic.twitter.com/ZmLvO7uMi5

— Kerry for Choice (@KerryForChoice) August 19, 2017

Executive Director of Amnesty Ireland, Colm O’Gorman, tweeted that 80% of people surveyed in Ireland “would vote to #repealth8th […] Let’s get on with it!”

80% of people in Ireland would vote to #repealthe8th @JustinTrudeau @campaignforleo Let's get on with it! #justinformleo pic.twitter.com/YMLJMNomGb

— Colm O'Gorman ?️‍⚧️?️‍??? (@Colmogorman) August 19, 2017

In a press conference with Trudeau after the parade, Varadkar indicated that he wants to hold a referendum on abortion in the first half of 2018, reports the BBC.