|
(Oxford, Quebec) The Bloc Quebecois has opted to present a united front
against the reopening of the same-sex marriage
debate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe put the matter to a vote at a party caucus meeting
and asked members to respect the party line, Bloc MP Real Menard said in an
interview.
The Bloc plans to oppose any attempts by the Conservatives to revisit the
issue when Parliament returns in the fall. Five Bloc members voted against the redefinition
of marriage last summer and Menard said he does not believe they
have changed their minds on the issue.
``It is simply believed that the debate has taken place and it is not
relevant to start it again,'' he said.
The New Democratic Party made support of same-sex marriage a
party position and as a result its 29 MPs will vote against any motion to reopen
the debate.
The Liberal caucus, meeting this week in Vancouver, has not considered the
issue.
During the last federal election campaign, Harper promised to hold a free
vote on the definition of marriage but hasn't pushed it since the Tories took
power.
Menard cited the voting record of the previous Canadian Alliance and Reform
Party, which merged to become the Conservative party, and said they generally
voted against gay and lesbian rights.
``I think it is necessary to make the public understand the government is
homophobic,''
Menard said.
``When, since 1993, you vote each time you can against
gay
rights, I think it should be concluded that they (the Conservatives) are homophobic,''
Menard said.
``If the Bloc had voted nine times against women, natives or any other
specific groups in the country, I think the necessary conclusions would have
been drawn.''
Menard predicted any homophobia on the Conservatives part will hurt them in
Quebec where gay rights are generally supported.
An Environics poll released in May indicated that 62 per cent of Canadians do
not want to see the debate on same-sex marriage revived.
Duceppe also criticized Premier Jean Charest's handling of the fiscal
imbalance between Ottawa and the provinces, saying Charest should hammer the
federal government on the amount it owes Quebec.
Duceppe put that amount at $2 billion to $3 billion per year.
The Bloc Leader said Charest has confined his arguments to calling for a
reform of the tax system, an increase in federal payments and the transfer of
tax points.
©365Gay.com 2006
|
Entertainment
