(Canadian conservative) Harper vows free vote on gay marriage (to ban it)

[sonicx]

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Stephen Harper launched his campaign today by steering it straight into the electoral turbulence of gay marriage.

A Conservative government would move to restore the traditional definition of marriage if Parliament supports the idea, he said.

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Either way, Harper promised to preserve more than 3,000 gay marriages already performed across Canada.

"That's the commitment we've made and it hasn't changed," he said in the lobby outside the House of Commons.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1133262800842&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154

[LSparkle]

1. Hasn't he been accused of taking U.S. campaign contributions?

He seems like just the kind of P.M. Shrubya would love ...

[achtung_circus]

2. Gotta a source for that?

I could use that info.

[HuffleClaw]

10. they had been using

american political 'specialists' last time around iirc.

[daleo]

3. Is it possible to ban same sex marriage, yet allow the current 3000?

In the unlikely event that Harper is elected, this would create a very peculiar precedent, I would think. How could a certain right be granted to a class of 3000 people, yet denied to those who come after? I doubt this would pass a Supreme Court test, although it may not be a serious proposal anyway. Just politicking by Harper, I think.

[arikara]

4. Harper's such a neanderthal moran

let him spout on about gay marriage. It'll give us another liberal minority which is fine. Hopefully NDP will hold balance of power this time.




on edit: added pic of Harper

[Sir_Snooze]

5. Harper is Bush's Lapdog

If Harper is allowed to run rampant in my fine nation, it shall become Bush's land. Gay marriage is fine. Harper is a right-wing nut-job; a glorified cowboy with no brain and eyes that don't match his smile.

If Harper is elected, the following will happen:
- Missile defense in Canada (I'm moving to Mexico in that event)
- Increased presence in the Quagmire of Iraq
- Religious nutcases running free
- Heavy corporate tax breaks, and increased tax on us little guys.

Stupid Harper and his evil, vile religious action. Alberta's always produced a few nutjobs (all the cons are from there). (Not all Albertans are nuts, though)

[CHIMO]

6. Harper vows free vote on gay marriage, would respect knots already tied

OTTAWA (CP) - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper launched his election campaign Tuesday by steering it straight into the electoral turbulence of gay marriage.

Heather MacIvor, a political scientist at the University of Windsor, recently published the book Canadian Politics and Government in the Charter Era.

She leads a seminar class on the Supreme Court reference opinion that dealt with same-sex unions. The high court was clear that marriage, under the Constitution, now includes gay couples, she said.

"You can't use the notwithstanding clause to override the division of powers in the 1867 Constitution," MacIvor said.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n112959A

[DaveColorado]

7. He even looks like a fundie nutjob

[Charlie Brown]

8. I don't follow this at all

If you're going to recognize the existing marriages between same-sex couples, then, legally, you cannot prohibit other same-sex couples from marrying.

Canada's charter of rights guarantees equal protection:

(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

Their Supreme Court will never let Harper's plan stand.

[HuffleClaw]

9. suuuuure

he's full of hot air among other things. just one more attempt to use a DEAD issue to divide the electorate, a tactic that BACKFIRED dramatically the last time he tried the SAME thing. idiot. he KNOWS his party won't make any significant gain in this election. its his to lose, if any party makes any gains it will be the ndp. harper really thought he could use the sponsorship scandal to his advantage but it seems he's reallllly jumped the gun on this election.

[Sir_Snooze]

11. Yep.

That's right. All bark, no bite. He still scares me though. He has steam, and that alone is frightning

[Harper_is_Bush]

12. If you want to help defeat this rightwing guy, go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2281966&mesg_id=2281966

[applegrove]

13. He claimed he wasn't going to go negative. He's a liar. All of 12

hours and he lies about being positive.

[Mother Jones]

14. Don't worry, he won't make any gains here!

Doesn't matter how many of Bushie's cronies he hires....


We don't fall for the banana-in-the-tailpipe-bit up here.

[daleo]

15. Religious fundamentalists are prominent in many ridings, esp. in B.C.

I read today in the Globe and Mail that they basically took over several riding associations, especially in the lower mainland. I suppose he is dancing to their tune now.

[TrogL]

16. he has to be insane

I've had several people quote at me this week "insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result".

He fought the last election over gay marriage and the sponsorship scandal and lost (albeit with a Liberal minority government). Now he's going to try exactly the same thing again, expecting a different result.