The Canadian Parliament voted 175-123 against reopening the marriage debate in that country. The bill sought to restrict marriage to heterosexuals, while permitting existing same-sex marriages to remain. Conservative Party Prime Minister Stephen Harper had promised the vote during the Canadian election campaign last January that saw his party take control of Parliament.
Experts said the only way Parliament could have outlawed same-sex marriage was to invoke the notwithstanding clause of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, essentially allowing Parliament to do whatever it wanted.
Interestingly, the margin defeating this bill was larger than the one that legalised same-sex marriage last year. It would seem that most Canadians, politicians included, have moved on. Pity the frothing right can’t.
Yes, three cheers to them--but Stephen Harper and the Conservatives should never have revisited the issue at all. Seems to me Harper was just pandering to the loony brigade.
But, that's just how I see it as an outsider. Because I don't know enough about Canada, I visit (and recommend!) Slap Upside the Head, which the author subtitles "Combatting bigotry the gayest way I know how". Great stuff.
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Let's hear it for the Canadians -- a sensible people!
ReplyDeleteYes, three cheers to them--but Stephen Harper and the Conservatives should never have revisited the issue at all. Seems to me Harper was just pandering to the loony brigade.
ReplyDeleteBut, that's just how I see it as an outsider. Because I don't know enough about Canada, I visit (and recommend!) Slap Upside the Head, which the author subtitles "Combatting bigotry the gayest way I know how". Great stuff.