本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Harper under fire for same-sex comment
Sue Bailey
Broadcast News
Monday, June 27, 2005
CREDIT: CP/Tom Hanson
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.
OTTAWA (CP) -- Stephen Harper says any gay marriage law will be stamped with illegitimacy because it will owe its passage to Quebec separatists.
Same-sex marriage legislation, which is expected to become law later this week with the votes of the Bloc Quebecois, would have been thwarted if only federalists MPs were casting ballots, the Conservative leader said Monday.
"Because it's being passed with the support of the Bloc, I think it will lack legitimacy with most Canadians," Harper told CBC Newsworld.
"The truth is most federalist MPs oppose this."
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.
[b]"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 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." [/b]
The bill that would make Canada just the third country worldwide to legalize gay marriage is expected to clear the Commons and the Senate by the end of July.
Only Belgium and the Netherlands permit same-sex weddings.
A roster of right-wing groups under the banner Defend Marriage Canada plans to fight the legislation to the end.
"We're bringing our bus and we'll do a press conference," said spokesman Charles McVety, president of Canada Christian College.
The group plans to arrive Tuesday on Parliament Hill to keep up pressure against same-sex marriage.
"I fear radical social change thrust upon a nation that is not asking for it," McVety said.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
Sue Bailey
Broadcast News
Monday, June 27, 2005
CREDIT: CP/Tom Hanson
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.
OTTAWA (CP) -- Stephen Harper says any gay marriage law will be stamped with illegitimacy because it will owe its passage to Quebec separatists.
Same-sex marriage legislation, which is expected to become law later this week with the votes of the Bloc Quebecois, would have been thwarted if only federalists MPs were casting ballots, the Conservative leader said Monday.
"Because it's being passed with the support of the Bloc, I think it will lack legitimacy with most Canadians," Harper told CBC Newsworld.
"The truth is most federalist MPs oppose this."
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.
[b]"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 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." [/b]
The bill that would make Canada just the third country worldwide to legalize gay marriage is expected to clear the Commons and the Senate by the end of July.
Only Belgium and the Netherlands permit same-sex weddings.
A roster of right-wing groups under the banner Defend Marriage Canada plans to fight the legislation to the end.
"We're bringing our bus and we'll do a press conference," said spokesman Charles McVety, president of Canada Christian College.
The group plans to arrive Tuesday on Parliament Hill to keep up pressure against same-sex marriage.
"I fear radical social change thrust upon a nation that is not asking for it," McVety said.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net