The government has also moved to erase Canada’s anal sex laws.
Boissonnault represents Edmonton Centre and is the first out gay MP elected in Alberta. His new role is the first of its kind in federal politics.
The appointment from Justin Trudeau's office comes along with an announcement the government has introduced legislation to repeal Canada's anal sex laws.
Under section 159 the Criminal Code, anal sex is only legal if it takes place between a husband and wife, or by two consenting adults over the age of 18. It's also illegal if more than two people "take part or are present." The age of consent for other types of sex is 16.
Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Canada in the 1960s, the restrictions in section 159 have remained and long been called discriminatory.
"The offence disproportionately impacts on gay males, particularly 16- and 17-year-olds, who can lawfully consent to all other forms of non-exploitive sexual activity," said a statement from the government.
But there's also been one major disappointment. The Liberals campaigned on a promise to end the ban on blood donations from men who've had sex with men within the last five years. In June, the restriction was dropped to one year, still affectively banning sexually active queer men.
Trudeau told Xtra he's "disappointed" the ban remains.
Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS
