Partial transcript of remarks by Canada PM Trudeau over brown face incident

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday delivered an apology for an incident in 2001 where he dressed up in brown face. He then took questions from reporters. Here is a copy of his opening statement and then a partial transcript of the exchange with media.

"In 2001, I was teaching in Vancouver and attended an end of year gala where the theme was Arabian Nights. I dressed up in an Aladdin costume and put make-up on. I shouldn't have done that. I should have known better but I didn't and I'm deeply sorry." Q: You were 29-years-old at the time. How can you explain what you did?

A: "It was a mistake. I should not have done it. I should have known not to do it and I deeply regret it. Yes, I apologize. I am disappointed." Q: Had one of your Liberal candidates in this election race done this, would you have asked them to step down?

A: "There are people who have made mistakes in this life and you make decisions on what they actually do and did and on a case-by-case basis." Q: Is this the only time in your life that you have ever done something like this?

A: "When I was in high school I dressed up at a talent show and sang "Day O" (a traditional Jamaican song about people loading bananas onto boats) with make-up on." Q: If someone else had done this, would you have asked them to retract the remarks?

A: "I always fought all my life against discrimination and intolerance. I should have known at that age not to do this." Q: When people in the United States do these sorts of things, they are asked to resign. Have you given any thought to resigning?

A: "I take responsibility for my decision to do that... it was something that I didn't think was racist at the time but now I recognize it was something racist to do. And I am deeply sorry ... I have made a number of calls to friends and colleagues tonight and I will have many more calls to make." Q: Why should you be allowed to stay on as a candidate?

A: "I am going to be asking Canadians to forgive me for what I did ... it was a dumb thing to do. I'm disappointed in myself. I'm pissed off with myself for having done it."

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