Realwomen of BC - Archives - May2005 - Canadians need a National Referendum on Marriage

CANADIANS NEED A NATIONAL REFERENDUM ON MARRIAGE
Link Byfield, Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy www.citizenscentre.com

Whether you support or oppose licensing homosexual marriage, one thing is clear: Canadians have strong opinions on both sides of this issue, yet the Bill coming into Parliament next month is a cynical farce which will not change anything.

If MPs approve the Martin government's Bill, gay marriage will then be legal in all 10 provinces. If it is defeated or withdrawn, gay marriage will remain legal in all provinces (except, for now at least, Alberta and New Brunswick) where it has already been approved and implemented by judges.

Stopping this Bill will not end same-sex marriage.
What is going on in Parliament on this issue is a cynical exercise in election-posturing by all parties, including the Conservatives.

The Citizens Centre is launching a national campaign to have the question put to a referendum.

The prime minister's stance that elected legislators must NEVER overrule judges on a matter of rights is legally false, politically treacherous, and democratically outrageous. He has repudiated Canada's constitution.

Regardless of which side in this debate you support, and regardless of which side you think would win a national referendum, you must surely agree with the principle of "government by consent of the governed."

Our politicians are about to set a destructive precedent that will set Canadian democracy back for generations.

Please use this link (www.marriagereferendum.ca) to tell Paul Martin, other party leaders, and the Supreme Court that it is time to ask Canadians whether they want to institute same-sex marriage.

If they do, Parliament should proceed.

If they do not, Parliament can and must put a stop to it.

Either way, a national referendum is the only way to settle the question properly.

Please be sure to forward this message to everyone you know who may be interested.