Mr. Speaker, Bill C-33 that we debate today is about prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation against a vulnerable group in our society in employment, in accommodation and in the provision of goods and services. It is about fairness and equality and treating all citizens with dignity and respect in the interests of tolerance. It is about equality, not special rights for anyone.
We want to protect homosexuals who risk losing their jobs and their homes simply because of who they are. Today they are the only Canadians who cannot look to the Canadian Human Rights Act for protection and whom Reformers would fire.
Bill C-33 would finally give gay and lesbian Canadians the same status and the same protection from discrimination as all other Canadians under the law. Nothing more, nothing less.
I congratulate the Coalition for Equality on its appearance before the committee this week along with 30 other groups of witnesses. I also thank the 30 parents, parishioners, lesbians and gays, members of the coalition who have come to Ottawa today to see that justice is done.