Second of two online excerpts froms "Elections, Part IV: The future of Canada." Please first see, "An election issue: Stop abortions," http://catholicinsight.com/online/political/abortion/article_719.shtml.

          Ottawa-Data obtained by the Globe and Mail (published on April 2, 2007) under access to information provisions, indicates that the federal Conservative government was after all preparing an amendment to the Criminal Code last fall to protect freedom of religion and freedom of speech on the issue of same-sex 'marriage.'

          News reports at the time hinted that the government was preparing such legislation, which was to have allowed public officials to refuse to perform same-sex 'marriages,' and would have protected the free-speech rights of religious leaders and others who criticize homosexual conduct. Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois MPs assailed the plan, claiming it would have legalized "discrimination against the gay and lesbian community." A spokesperson for Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says the government currently has no intention of bringing forward such legislation.

Comment:

          The need for protection of freedom of speech and freedom of religion is required now more than ever. Why is this so? See among our related May offerings: Rory Leishman, "Religious freedom under attack" in Britain (p. 10 in the print edition); then go to News in Brief and check under Vatican, Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Poland (pp. 22-26 in the print edition). For previous coverage of this issue, see from March, 2007, Paula Adamick, "Coercion of Christians in Britain" (p. 12 in the print edition). From April, 2007, check the section "The Future of Canada - Section A: The latest attacks on religion and speech" (pp. 21-23 in the print edition, and again "Who controls the souls of the children?" which is available at http://catholicinsight.com/online/church/education/article_704.shtml.

Election issue

          The nature of all these attacks is directly related to the new legal status of so-called same-sex marriage. These threats are so serious that the protection of the freedom of religion and speech must be made into an election issue from coast to coast. Canadians must demand now that the Harper government prepare new legislation to undo the open discrimination threatened by school boards, judges and Human Rights Commissions across the country.

          Please write to express your concerns first to your Member of Parliament; also to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 (e-mail: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca) and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 (e-mail: Nicholson.R@parl.gc.ca).

          Here are two more examples:

          Fredericton-In New Brunswick the Liberal government defeated a conscience bill in mid March, affirming the right of clergy and civil servants to have the freedom to turn down requests for same-sex 'marriages.' Attorney-General and Justice Minister T.J. Burke, who seems to be the real power in the cabinet, threw his weight against the amendment to the Marriage Act introduced by Tory MLA David Alward.

          Burke also announced that he is bringing in legislation that will allow same-sex couples to adopt children (Daily Gleaner, Mar. 9, 2007). He applauded the Liberals for being pro-active on homosexual 'rights' (LifeSiteNews, Mar. 14, 2007).

          Quebec City-The provincial Liberal government has received a report from its Human Rights Commission asking for all-out war on those who oppose legal equality for the homosexual lifestyle and same-sex unions. It calls for a national day to fight 'homophobia.' This it interprets as any and all intellectual or religious opposition to GBLT behaviour (The Interim, April 2007).

Catholic Insight's continuing series on "Elections" began in February, 2007 with "Part I: Whom not to vote for" (pp. 19-28 in the print edition), which is available in full at http://catholicinsight.com/online/political/article_702.shtml. The next installment in March, 2007 (pp. 19-26 in the print edition) was "Part II: Where to, Canada?" The April, 2007 installment (pp. 21-30 in the print edition) was "Part III: The future of Canada," an excerpt of which is available at http://catholicinsight.com/online/church/education/article_704.shtml.

As noted, this article is one of two online excerpts from the May, 2007 installment (pp. 11-21 in the print edition) called "Part IV: Is Canada dying?" For the other excerpt, please see http://catholicinsight.com/online/political/abortion/article_719.shtml.

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