Posted on 02/01/2005 9:09:22 PM PST by Cornpone
A small majority of Canadians are in favour of same-sex marriage Canada's government has introduced a bill to parliament in Ottawa to legalise same-sex marriage. As he announced the bill, Justice Minister Irwin Cotler defended it as a critical step in constitutionally defending minority rights.
Same-sex marriage is legal in several provinces, but the proposed law is still controversial.
The issue has split the governing Liberal party, with several MPs vowing to vote against the bill.
"The government cannot and should not pick and choose which rights they will defend, and which rights they will ignore," Mr Colter told a news conference in the capital.
"If the fundamental rights of one minority can be denied, if one prohibited form of discrimination under the charter can be waved away, so potentially can those of others.
"This legislation will respect and defend the charter rights of all Canadians," he added.
Divisive issue
Nevertheless Roman Catholic groups in Canada have joined with others including Muslim and Orthodox Jewish groups to lobby against the bill.
Politicians are divided, including those in the minority government headed by Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin.
A survey in Tuesday's Globe and Mail daily newspaper suggested that 139 MPs backed the bill, 49 were undecided and 118 MPs opposed it.
The opposition Conservative leader, Stephen Harper, says he defends the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.
Opinion polls show that a small majority of Canadians support the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.
In some ways, Canada's central government is simply catching up with High Court decisions in eight of the country's 13 provinces and territories where gay marriage is perfectly legal, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto.
If passed, the legislation would put Canada on quite a different course to its powerful neighbour to the south, our correspondent adds.
In the United States, President George W Bush is seeking a constitutional amendment to enshrine the traditional heterosexual definition of marriage.
If they legalize it, will that make Canada like a honey pot for US gays, who will flock there in large numbers to get married? Since a majority of Canadians appear to favor gay marriage, and a majority of Americans oppose it, this solution could make everybody happy.
Think about the alternatives if Canada splits (post I got earlier today):
Benefits to the US:
Territorial contiguity with Alaska
The largest concentration of oil in the world (as large as the entire STATE of New York)
Highly educated workforce
Water
Hydroelectricity
An additional 1 million sq miles of land
Minerals
Wood
The most awesome natural beauty anywhere in North America
Much easier to defend northern border with porous Canada
Best weed and magic mushrooms in North America
Benefits to Western Canadians:
No more marginalization by the East
No more half vote status (i.e., Western Canada needs two votes for every one in Eastern Canada for the same number of MPs)
BC becomes the second largest US state after Alaska and ranks #24 in population. Alberta becomes the fourth largest state and ranks #31 in population. Saskatchewan becomes the fifth largest state in size and #45 in population
US dollars
Can work anywhere in the US without needing Green Cards
No more six month waiting period to get a gun
No more 18-month waiting period to get an MRI scan while suffering excruciating pain for a disintegrated knee
No more 12-month waiting period to see a heart specialist AFTER suffering a heart attack or stroke
Drawbacks for the US:
Can't pretend "Canada is our greatest friend" anymore
Whiny Eastern Canadians and Europeans
Confused new American-Canadians who can't figure out if they're Republicans or Democrats - a lot are to the left but not as far left as the Liberals who govern Canada
Change venerable flag and must include an additional three stars
Federal Reserve gives par to Canadian dollars during expansion
Drawback for Western Canadians
Can't look down upon the 'arrogant' Americans anymore
No more health care for all
Become hated as we travel overseas for vacation
Can't holiday in Cuba anymore
Can't get Cuban whores for $10 anymore
Can't get Cuban cigars anymore
Can't get Cuban whores using Cuban cigar club acts anymore :(
How is that?
What? Are you attempting to channel David Letterman?
I'm not sure. I think we should ask Mister Watson. I believe he may know and can explain...ping
"A small majority of Canadians are in favour of same-sex marriage "
Says who? Every poll I've seen shows Canadians are against.
I hope they debate free speech too, how about allowing some right-wing media up there?? How about religions being allowed to criticize things that violate their religion? I've heard stories.
say what>??
I used to wonder why Christ would have to war against all the nations.
Sounds like more plus than minus. Let's go for it.
In order to explain why Canadians are much more supportive of same-sex marriage than Americans, one needs to understand the different social views of the citizens of these two nations.
There is actually a big difference between the mindset of Canadians and Americans. Throughout our history, we have subscribed to trusting the government for our needs and to do what's best for its citizens whereas Americans have developed an individualistic mindset that believes the individual knows what's best for himself and his family.
While it is true not all subscribe to such contrasting views, a substantial majority did during each generation that shaped the respective nations' evolution.
These divergent mindsets can be seen in many aspects of our societies. Here are just a few examples.
1. When Americans don't like a law or practice in your community; you don't throw up your hands and surrender to its inevitability. You fight against it, start a petition or a committee, and initiate a referendum or run for a political office with the purpose of changing the disputed law. Hell, even Homer Simpson did it. Canadians will just normally accept the status quo and for most of those who won't, they usually will just complain to their Member of Parliment (like a congressman) or the Op-Ed of the local paper.
2. Canadians as a whole believe it's better to avoid conflict than confrontation. Why? Because we have been indoctrinated for generations that our government leaders know best and tolerance of differences is the supreme virtue. Do you want to know why Canada split with its Anglo family (the US, UK and Australia) regarding the war in Iraq? It's very simple. Our Prime Minister at the time, Jean Chretein is from Quebec. He was French and reflected French attitudes.
It's hard for Americans to understand but the Canadian polital system confers incredible powers to the leaders of each political party. If the leader decides he won't tolerate dissent on a subject, no member of his party can vote against him on penalty of expulsion. Chretein decided in favor of France because he was French and despite the fact the Francophones only amount to 20% of the total Canadian population. He was able to enforce his will because his party, the federal Liberal Party possessed a sizable majority in parliment at the time.
Consequently, whatever views the Prime Minister decides to enforce; that will be followed by the majority of the citizenry.
In short, the TIMING of the Iraq war is the only reason why Canada didn't join it on the side of the US. If only we had an Anglo prime minister at the time, like a Brian Mulroney; our political structure would've resulted in widespread support for the war from Canadians.
Now that he's gone and Paul Martin replaced him, the previous frosty relations between Canada and the US have thawed a bit, but the inertia of Chretien's legacy still remains. He has to continue on the path of Chretien because a whole generation of Canadians have been led to think in a certain way and it isn't easy to switch horses in mid-stream.
One of Chretien's legacies is same-sex marriage. He believed it should be legalized; enforced his will upon the members of his party and this view is now sadly accepted by the majority of Canadians.
When one is subjected to constant support for gay marriage - from the media, from schools, from the government; and is condemned for rejecting it as a bigot, one tends to shut up and just accept it.
Gay marriage has been made into a human rights issue. We Canadians must be tolerant and accepting rather than standing up for what's right. This lack of a moral backbone is a direct result of our government's stance. Whatever view promulgated by the government; most of the citizenry automatically will reflect it. We're a lot more gullible to the directives of our government.
I filled out a survey just the other day concerning my views on gay marriage. I checked the "neither agree nor disagree" box despite being vehemently opposed to it in the past. Why? Because there's no point in shutting the barn doors now that the cows have left. One can't put humpty-dumpty back together again. The majority of Canadian provinces have legalized gay marriage and the sad truth is conservatives have LOST this war. It's now too late to oppose it.
However, while Canada is lost; the individualistic mindset of Americans and the presence of Bush in the White House means you can still pass a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.