Mr. Speaker, the first principle of the Reform Party of Canada as stated in our blue book is: "We confirm our commitment to Canada as one nation and to our vision of Canada as a balanced federation of equal provinces and equal citizens". I affirm that belief. This is why I was so deeply offended at the attempt by CBC Radio to portray my comments to a radio station in my riding as being discriminatory against gays and lesbians.
I wish to assure the House I believe that gays and lesbians have exactly the same rights as every other Canadian.
For whatever reason, CBC Radio decided not to include in its report the following statement: "I don't say that you have to sit at the back of the bus or that you can refuse to hire them on the basis of their homosexuality. I don't think that is acceptable. But they
have the same protection under the charter and the human rights act as all other Canadians".
I also said in the same interview: "We don't accept or encourage discrimination against anybody because they are homosexual or they are gay".