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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will issue a formal apology to Italians mistreated in Canada during the Second World War.

Trudeau made the announcement Friday in Vaughan, Ont., at an event celebrating Italian heritage month.

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He says during the war, Italian Canadian families and businesses struggled and no one was held responsible.

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Trudeau says a formal apology would offer closure to the community.

READ MORE: Various weekend road closures in store for Toronto’s Taste of Little Italy festival

He also announced that the federal government would be opening a permanent trade centre in Milan, Italy.

Trudeau did not provide further details, but he says the centre will ensure that the “future is bright” between Canada and Italy.