Canadian House Set To Pass Gay Marriage Today
by Ben Thompson
365Gay.com Ottawa Bureau
Posted: June 28, 2005 11:00 am ET

(Ottawa) Canada's House of Commons is expected to pass legislation late tonight allowing same-sex couples to marry in those regions of the country where courts have not already ruled it legal.

In a session that extended into the early hours of Tuesday the gay marriage legislation survived a second vote in the House with 154 MPs voting for and 124 voting against, including 24 Liberals and New Democratic Party member Bev Desjarlais, who could be suspended from her party's caucus for not following the party's line of supporting the measure.

Just an hour earlier, a government motion supported by the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois was passed to limit debate to another eight hours, culminating with a final vote tonight.

While some members of the governing Liberals oppose the same-sex marriage bill the only party to fight the legislation is the Conservatives.

On Monday Conservative leader Stephen Harper accused the government of ramming the bill through saying that law would be stamped with illegitimacy because it will owe its passage to Quebec separatists - the small Bloc Quebecois Party.

"Because it's being passed with the support of the Bloc, I think it will lack legitimacy with most Canadians,'' Harper said.

'The truth is most federalist MPs oppose this. It's only a deal with the Bloc that's allowing it to pass.''

Conservative justice critic Vic Toews went further.

"The federalist MPs in Canada, the majority of them, would oppose (gay marriage) on a free vote. So what we are seeing now is simply an agreement by this government with the separatist Bloc - who have no long-term interest in staying in Canada.''

The comments were swiftly rebuked and mocked by rivals of all political stripes.

"We're elected,'' said Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe. "Our mandate is every bit as legitimate as any member who sits in this chamber.

"That's what they call democracy.''

The Conservatives could help end the Bloc's influence by supporting Quebec independence, Duceppe wryly suggested.

New Democrat Leader Jack Layton said the remarks are further proof of why Conservative popularity has stalled or dropped.

"Mr. Harper is essentially saying that Quebecers' votes don't matter - aren't on an equal par with the rest of Canadians. So he wants to deny equality to same-sex partners, and he wants to deny equality to Quebec voters.

"Maybe Mr. Harper should think about why people aren't listening to him by just simply looking at what he says.''

Public Works Minister Scott Brison, who is openly gay, said Harper's stance is the latest example of his polarizing effect.

"This is another case of Stephen Harper trying to divide Canadians and pit one group against another. For him to imply that federalists are not as supportive of human rights and equality as separatists is truly offensive.''

Others openly scoffed at what appeared to be a Conservative bid to link gay rights with separatism.

"Are sovereigntists more homosexual or heterosexual?'' quipped Transport Minister Jean Lapierre, the Liberal party's Quebec lieutenant.

``Does (Harper) have a study on that?''

David Docherty, a professor of political science at Wilfrid Laurier University, called the Conservative tactic a ``mind-boggling'' insult to Quebec. The Bloc, with 54 seats in the 308-seat Commons, is a force that can't be ignored.

``It's silly, is what it is,'' he said in an interview. ``(Harper) really seems to be fumbling the ball.''
The Tories themselves counted on help from the Bloc as they tried to bring down the minority Liberals on a May 19 confidence vote, Docherty said.

Harper now seems to be saying that, had the Conservatives won, the victory would have been undermined because the separatists had helped secure it.

"If they ever form a minority government, who are they going to make deals with?'' Docherty wondered.

"(Harper) has now essentially written off Quebec.''

Once the legislation passes the House of Commons it must be approved by the Senate. Although it is expected to pass the upper house comfortably it could face a lengthy debate.
Same-sex marriage already is legal in 8 of Canada's 10 provinces and one of the three territories.


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THIS IS A REMINDER OF WHY I HOPE THE CONSERVATIVES WILL LOSE THE NEXT ELECTION!!!!! - Don