Harper reopens same-sex debate (Canada may revisit 'marriage')

[kweerwolf]

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Stephen Harper reignited the controversial issue of same-sex marriage on the opening day of the federal election, saying a government led by him would let MPs vote freely to overturn the law.

The promise to revisit the divisive issue was made as leaders of the four major political parties kicked off their campaigns for a midwinter vote that Paul Martin called yesterday for Jan. 23.

In his remarks, Mr. Harper appeared to try to cushion his party against anticipated Liberal accusations that he harbours a hidden agenda by raising the issue himself.

"We were committed at the time of the convention and through the last debate to put a free vote to the next Parliament on this issue," the Tory Leader said.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051130/ELECT30/Front/Idx

[PDJane]

1. Here's hoping

that the people I talk to are a fair example of the country's cross section. If so, the mere fact that Harper wants to revisit the issue will mean that he's not going to win. As a landmark issue, same sex marriages are a quick test of who Canadians prefer to be.

[kevinbgoode]

2. I suspect Harper is doing this in order to pull money in from the

Religious zealots in the U.S. - after all, Canadians saw some of the hate campaign through fliers and mailings that evolved in the States over the issue. I'm wondering if his approach here is to pull voters from some of the other parties in order to get enough seats to form a minority government.

As you recall, religious crazies vowed a stealth campaign to unseat Liberals and NDPers who voted for the legislation. You'll likely hear the right wing churches start mentioning gay marriage and intimidating voters every Sunday until election day.

My hope is that Canadians will be angry that he wants to revisit this issue, since it was already legal in most provinces and territories anyway, and it will be moved as attempting to remove rights from citizens.