Madam Speaker, recently I was interviewed by a reporter from a major newspaper in western Canada. It was an extended interview and she asked me about my experience as a politician and a parliamentarian.
I explained to her that I had never been a politician before 1993, that it was the first time I had been elected to anything. When she asked me how I found politics I frankly told her that I certainly had had my eyes opened in the last two and one-half years. She kept at me asking me what I meant and what kind of experience it had been for me. I told her that to be bluntly honest, politics is a dirty, rotten, slimy business in Canada. When she asked me to explain, I said I could not think of a better way to illustrate and underline that than what was going on with Bill C-33.
Hundreds and hundreds of letters and phone calls and faxes are coming from people from all over Canada to my office and to all the members' offices in Ottawa, to my constituency office and even to my home. The only other piece of legislation that has caused as much of an uproar in my constituency as this legislation has is Bill C-68 which as my colleague pointed out also came from this same minister.
At least on Bill C-68, we had the opportunity for a full and open debate. Yes, the government adopted legislation that flew in the face of what a majority of Canadians wanted. Yes, the government forced its will on the people, but at least there was the opportunity for the bill to be debated in public for an extended period time. The justice committee had an opportunity to examine the legislation and propose amendments to it and to call witnesses. It was a protracted debate. At least there was an opportunity for Canadians to express their widespread opposition to it. Unfortunately in the end, it went through but at least the process was adhered to.
In this instance, a piece of legislation is being rammed through this House of Commons without debate. The government is trying to get this legislation passed before Canadians wake up and realize what is going on.
The government would like to have it a done deal before it has to face the music. Those who write editorials have not even had a chance to pick at this and highlight some of the discrepancies in the minister's statements and some of the discrepancies in what the legislation purports to do and actually will do. The government wants to have this all a done deal, put away in the closet before Canadians wake up.
This bill is not about discrimination. As my colleague who also asked, show us where there is a problem with discrimination against homosexuals in Canada. Show us where this kind of legislation is required. It does not exist.
This legislation is not about equality. It is about inequality. It is about special status. In the minister's own words, he says one thing to one group of people, one special interest group and then he stands up in front of all Canadians and says something completely different. He tells the gay community: "This is a major win for you guys". Then he tells Canadians: "Do not worry, this is basically window dressing. It is an amendment to the human rights code so that there is no discrimination against gay and lesbian people".
Clearly, there is a real hypocrisy going on behind the scenes that will not stand the light of day. I spoke with people outside on the steps of this House who are protesting what is going on in here. They know full well the hypocritical remarks the minister has made, the duplicity of the government's bill and its attempt to ram it through without debate, invoking closure time and again.