Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people of Surrey Central to to debate government Bill C-23. For the benefit of those who are watching the debate and for the benefit of the Liberals, in this bill the government is giving out marriage-like benefits while failing to effectively define marriage. A vast majority of Canadians are opposed to it.
The official opposition is the only party in the House opposed to the bill and we have the support of the public right across this great nation. The constituents of Surrey Central are calling me every day opposing the bill. I have not received more calls, letters or e-mail messages than I have received on this particular important issue. My constituents are urging the Canadian Alliance to remain firm as a pro-family party. They are characterizing the Liberals as an anti-family party.
What is it that my constituents are opposing? The vast majority supports families. We support marriage as a union between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all other relationships. I will talk about the definition of marriage for a moment. The Liberals say they have included the definition of marriage in the justice minister's so-called marriage amendment. However that amendment is not included in the 68 federal statutes affected by the bill. If this definition of marriage is good enough to put in the preamble of Bill C-23, why is it not good enough for all the statutes it changes?