Trudeau's attendance at protest confusing in COVID-19 era, Scheer says

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he can understand if Canadians are upset about the prime minister's appearance at an anti-racism rally.

Justin Trudeau and several cabinet ministers attended a massive rally in the nation's capital on Friday, held despite public health warnings against mass gatherings due to COVID-19.

Scheer says Canadians have been told for months they can't gather in groups, can't visit their elderly relatives or attend funerals to slow the spread of the virus.

He says he understands if Canadians are now confused about what advice they ought to be following if Trudeau himself ignores public warnings.

Trudeau was wearing a mask as he attended the gathering, one of several held in Canada in recent days in solidarity with anti-black racism protests in the U.S. and to object to similar injustices here.

The movement was ignited after George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota, died while in police custody.