Justin Tang/The Canadian Press Chief of the Defence Staff Jonathan Vance, centre, marches in the Ottawa Capital Pride parade on Aug. 27, 2017.

OTTAWA — Canada's top soldier expressed solidarity with the LGBTQ community Sunday by walking in Ottawa's annual Pride parade.

But Gen. Jonathan Vance, the chief of defence staff, had no word for those awaiting an apology over being forced from the Canadian military for being gay or lesbian in past decades.

"It's a wider government of Canada decision, not an Armed Forces decision," he said following the parade.

Justin Trudeau's government has signalled its intention to apologize to former military members as part of its efforts to make amends to those who endured federal discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The policies had their roots in government efforts that began as early as the 1940s to delve into the personal lives of employees who were considered security risks.