Mr. Speaker, the only hidden agenda is with the opposition.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 41% of the vote.
Marriage December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the only hidden agenda is with the opposition.
Marriage December 14th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court decision is clear. The charter is clear. Freedom of religion is protected and people who are not religious officials are also protected with respect to their religious beliefs.
Human Rights December 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been the source of inspiration for the international bill of human rights and also for our own human rights agenda, which includes: first, the promotion and protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; second, the protection of security and human rights, no contradiction between the protection of security and human rights; third, the protection of the most vulnerable among us, women, children, aboriginals, minorities; fourth, the combating of hate speech and hate crimes; and, finally, the building of an international justice system for the 21st century.
Marriage December 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court judgment was explicit that no religious official will be compelled to perform a same sex marriage. We will be working with our provincial counterparts to ensure that freedom of religion is fully protected.
Marriage December 13th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the unanimous judgment of the Supreme Court, which is the decision we will follow, explicitly and manifestly protects freedom of religion in all its respects.
Marriage December 10th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I would just ask the hon. member to read question three of the reference when the government asked the Supreme Court as to whether religious freedom was protected. The Supreme Court unanimously answered “yes”. With regard to the solemnization of marriage, it would corroborate with the provinces.
Marriage December 10th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am now convinced that he did not read the judgment, and still has not read it. If he had read it, he would understand that it being an advisory opinion, it cannot direct Parliament to do anything. All it can do is give advice. That is the nature of a reference. It is up to us to undertake that responsibility, to introduce legislation in Parliament, and we will do that. It will protect religious organizations because, under the charter, the court has said that religious freedom is absolutely protected, contrary to what the hon. member said.
Marriage December 10th, 2004
If the member wants to hear the answer, I will give it. It clearly declares that the opposite sex requirement for marriage is unconstitutional. It is right through the judgment. Otherwise, we could not have a unanimous judgment extending civil marriage for gays and lesbians.
Marriage December 10th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I never pronounce on a judgment until I have read it first. That is exactly what I caution the member opposite. If he looks at the judgment, it clearly declares--
Marriage December 9th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the judgment is clear that no official should be compelled to perform a same sex marriage if it is contrary to religion or conscience. We will take this up at the federal-provincial-territorial conference in order to ensure that provincial legislation is in line with the federal and provincial commitments under the charter.