Dee
12-05-2006, 04:24 AM
I sure hope not.
Tory motion is set to reignite gay marriage debate in Commons (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/061204/national/same_sex)
OTTAWA (CP) - Christian activists will make life hell on the next campaign trail for MPs who break their vows to protect traditional marriage, says a staunch opponent of gay weddings.
Charles McVety, head of the independent Defend Marriage movement, will be in Ottawa on Wednesday when Parliament is set to debate a Conservative motion that could reopen Liberal schisms on a touchy subject.
It calls on the government to introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage "while respecting existing same-sex marriages." A vote is expected Thursday.
More than 12,000 gay couples across Canada have wed since court rulings recognizing their unions forced a parliamentary vote last year that legalized same-sex marriage.
McVety says he'll be closely watching more than 30 Liberal MPs who voted against gay weddings. Many have publicly said they'll work to restore marriage as the exclusive domain of one man, one woman.
<snip>
New Liberal Leader Stephane Dion called the Tory motion a disturbing move that potentially undermines the charter. A strong supporter of equal marriage, Dion said he would speak with MPs before deciding whether to "whip" the vote expected Thursday - forcing Liberals to reject revisiting the matter.
Laurie Arron, national co-ordinator of the independent group Canadians for Equal Marriage, says most voters simply want to move on.
"This is the third vote in three parliaments under three prime ministers," he said of a controversy that's been hashed out for years.
"It's quite clear that Canadians are sick and tired of this debate."
That includes several Conservatives who know the issue is politically toxic.
"Even people who don't like (the idea) understand that the equal marriage ship has sailed," Arron said.
Tory motion is set to reignite gay marriage debate in Commons (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/061204/national/same_sex)
OTTAWA (CP) - Christian activists will make life hell on the next campaign trail for MPs who break their vows to protect traditional marriage, says a staunch opponent of gay weddings.
Charles McVety, head of the independent Defend Marriage movement, will be in Ottawa on Wednesday when Parliament is set to debate a Conservative motion that could reopen Liberal schisms on a touchy subject.
It calls on the government to introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage "while respecting existing same-sex marriages." A vote is expected Thursday.
More than 12,000 gay couples across Canada have wed since court rulings recognizing their unions forced a parliamentary vote last year that legalized same-sex marriage.
McVety says he'll be closely watching more than 30 Liberal MPs who voted against gay weddings. Many have publicly said they'll work to restore marriage as the exclusive domain of one man, one woman.
<snip>
New Liberal Leader Stephane Dion called the Tory motion a disturbing move that potentially undermines the charter. A strong supporter of equal marriage, Dion said he would speak with MPs before deciding whether to "whip" the vote expected Thursday - forcing Liberals to reject revisiting the matter.
Laurie Arron, national co-ordinator of the independent group Canadians for Equal Marriage, says most voters simply want to move on.
"This is the third vote in three parliaments under three prime ministers," he said of a controversy that's been hashed out for years.
"It's quite clear that Canadians are sick and tired of this debate."
That includes several Conservatives who know the issue is politically toxic.
"Even people who don't like (the idea) understand that the equal marriage ship has sailed," Arron said.