equality

A friend sent me this link, my first bit of all-Canadian activism. From Canadians for Equal Marriage:
Stephen Harper has confirmed that the new Conservative government will try to turn back the clock on equality, by holding a vote to re-open the equal marriage debate this fall.

The prime minister avoided the issue in his April 4 Speech from the Throne (meant to outline the government’s agenda for the upcoming session), so Canadians for Equal Marriage held a press conference the following morning. In the media theatre on Parliament Hill, Emily Turk and Cynthia Misener, a lesbian couple hoping to marry later this year, called on Harper to reveal his intentions.

"Nobody should have to plan their wedding under this kind of threat," they said.

Within two hours, Justice Minister Vic Toews responded by confirming the government’s plan to hold a vote on re-opening the equal marriage debate "sooner rather than later". Harper himself said a vote would take place "within the life of this Parliament, probably in the fall."

So, once again, the equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-identified people is threatened, and the right of all Canadian couples to access civil marriage is hanging in the balance.

Despite polls showing 2/3 of Canadians do not want a Harper government to bring the equal marriage issue back to Parliament, Prime Minister Harper insists there will be a vote on rolling back equality. Buried in his election platform is the following:

"A Conservative government will:
-Hold a truly free vote on the definition of marriage in the next session of Parliament. If the resolution is passed, the government will introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage while respecting existing same-sex marriages."

What does this mean? It means the Conservative government will ask Parliament to vote on a resolution to re-open the divisive equal marriage debate. This resolution can be put forward, debated and voted on in a single day.

If it passes, then a bill to take away same-sex couples' right to marry will follow. Of course, according to over 100 law professors, that legislation is almost certainly unconstitutional. The law profs say it would be irresponsible to try to pass such legislation, and that doing so would lead to legal confusion for years to come. Click here to see their open letter to Stephen Harper.
Here's how you can help:

- Email your MP and tell her or him where you stand on this issue, and how you want to see him/her vote.

- Sign the Equal Marriage petition. I can't vote, but I can do this.

- Spread the word by sending the link to your own email list.

On the short list of what makes Canada different - and what makes Canada a good country - is a commitment to respect for minorities, and to each of our right to self-determination. Canada's early recognition of same-sex marriage is one expression of that, in sharp contrast to the response just south of here.

Let's not let Stephen Harper turn back the clock.

Comments

  1. barefoot hiker12 April 2006 at 08:54

    It's a pig in a poke. A sop to the bigots Harper needed to get elected... JUST. The crucial facts of the matter are this...

    What I've heard is, he just wants to the hold the vote, lose it (as he likely will), and then he's free to go to the pointy-hats in Calgary and say, "Hey, we held the vote and we lost... what can I do?" Shrug shrug shrug, case closed, he moves on.

    If he wins the vote, so what? The Supreme Court ruled on the matter already. Unless he wants to pull the pin on the notwithstanding clause for the very first time ever federally, then he can pass anything he likes and the courts won't uphold it... it will be at variance with the Constitution, period. If he uses the notwithstanding clause, he's going to set a federal precedent that will scare the SHIT of out Quebec, and there's no way he's going to alienate them just as Tories can finally set foot in the place again without spontaneously combusting. Alberta's great and all, yeah... but there are only 3.5 million people there. There are 8 million in Quebec. And Quebec has options. Alberta, due to its narrow mindset, has none: because most of them are psychologically incapable of turning their heads to the left, they've painted themselves into an electoral corner: they vote Tory or they stay home. Harper knows it and they know it.

    So I'm not overly concerned. Like I say... it's a pig in a poke, just so he can say he kept his promise.

    ReplyDelete
  2. laura k12 April 2006 at 08:59

    I agree, LP. I thought the same thing during the election, as well. It's one of the reasons that, although I dislike Harper very much, I don't find him as dangerously scary as many progressive people.

    However, since I eschew legal marriage altogether, this will never effect me. I feel I have to respect the concerns of the people it most affects. Hence my post. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. barefoot hiker12 April 2006 at 09:08

    The country is well-served by your diligence, particularly given your personal arrangements. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. laura k12 April 2006 at 09:18

    Hey, it's good to have all our options open. :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kyahgirl12 April 2006 at 14:47

    Lone primate-I'm so glad you left a little bit of wiggle room in your post for 'some' Albertans. There are a few of us open minded, left leaning people out here

    *waving from the wilderness*

    Thanks for posting this l-girl.
    I'll be thoroughly pissed off if they waste a bunch more of my tax dollars on this. ARGH.

    ReplyDelete
  6. M@12 April 2006 at 18:41

    While I agree that, on this issue, Harper is not seriously contemplating a win... it says a lot that that is the base that he wants to placate.

    Enough of a reason not to vote for him, I'd say.

    ReplyDelete
  7. laura k13 April 2006 at 06:03

    it says a lot that that is the base that he wants to placate.

    Indeed it does.

    ReplyDelete

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