Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of Canada is currently examining the issue of whether or not family benefits should be extended to same sex relationships under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
While the Supreme Court is yet to render a decision on this case, it is important to remember that all such matters should be decided by Parliament and not the courts. It is inappropriate for us as elected representatives to leave it to the courts to design social policy or for the courts to usurp parliamentary authority in these areas. This is a matter for Parliament to decide.
This would ensure that the laws of this land are established and implemented by a democratic process and not by the appointed representatives of the courts. In order to ensure that the voices of the people are truly represented in Parliament this issue must be decided by a free vote.