Realwomen of BC - Archives - December2003 - What''s happening in Nunavut?

THE REAL NEWS The R.E.A.L WOMEN of BC Newsletter December 2003, BOX 39068, Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1, Tel/Fax: 604- 463-1611, website: http://www.realwomen.bc.ca, e-mail: lgeschke@almatree.net Back to contents
What''s happening in Nunavut? On November 4th, Bill C?12, the Human Rights Act (HRA) for Nunavut was passed by a margin of two votes, without a revision which sought to redefine marriage to include same sex couples. The people of the territory of Nunavut were (and are) bewildered by the inclusion of the undefined term "sexual orientation" as a grounds for protection under the HRA. There was no explanation of it given to the legislators. There is no expression for the alternate lifestyles which are more common in the south: no word for homosexuality, and no practice of homosexual lifestyle in the Inuit culture. It seems that the homosexual activists have spread their person?power and focused their attention on one of our newest governments. In doing so, however, they effectively trampled on the culture and rights of the indigenous people of the North. For shame! Then on November 21st , REAL Women of BC discovered that Martin Cauchon, Canada''s Minister of Justice who has orchestrated the push for legislative approval of same?sex marriage in Canada, planned to be in Iqaluit, Nunavut, from December 3 to 9 to push same?sex marriage in Canada''s newest emerging province. On Tuesday morning, November 25, we sent out a press release in a co?ordinated effort with REAL Women of Canada in Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto exposing the Minister''s travel plans and agenda. We stated "Although Nunavut, which in 1999 was carved out of what used to be known as the North West Territories, has a Legislative Assembly, it is still influenced by the politicians in Ottawa, particularly the Minister of Justice. "On December 2nd, the Nunavut Legislature would be sitting again. Mr. Cauchon, who ceases to be the Minister of Justice when the new Cabinet is sworn in on December 12th, intends to spend his last days in office in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, and while there, pressure the Legislative Assembly to implement, at the expense of the Inuit culture and tradition, the acceptance of same?sex marriage on the basis that the procedures for marriage and its registration fall under (Nunavut''s) provincial legislation. "By doing so, Mr. Cauchon and his homosexual supporters hoped to establish a precedent to accept the registration of same?sex marriages in Nunavut —— something that eight out of the ten Canadian provinces have so far refused to do. It seemed apparent that Mr. Cauchon hoped to use Nunavut as a precedent for the acceptance of homosexuality even though it is contrary to the culture and tradition of the people living there. "This attempt to manipulate the healthy vigorous Inuit culture to adapt to the personal agenda of the outgoing Minister of Justice and his homosexual supporters is repugnant and abhorrent to all those who respect the culture and traditions of others." That very afternoon, November 25th, Minister Cauchon held a press conference in Ottawa and stated in response to a question from the press that his trip to Nunavut had been cancelled. Since then, the people of Nunavut have invited Gwen Landolt, National Vice President to visit and speak to the legislators of Nunavut and other community leaders and elders, as well as Virginia Larrson, and REAL Women member from Manitoba. Their trip was completed in early December. What you can do Please write to the Leader-Elect of the Liberal Party, The Hon. Paul Martin, to advise him the actions of Mr. Cauchon as Minister of Justice, using his position to promote the controversial agenda of the special interest group of homosexual activists was repugnant to the majority of Canadian citizens. Also, please let him know that it is expected that the new Minister of Justice to be appointed must carry out his/her responsibilities fairly and objectively on behalf of all Canadians —— rather than that of a special interest group. Mr. Martin''s address is as follows: The Hon. Paul Martin Office of the Prime Minister c/o Room 458, Confederation Bldg. House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Tel: (613) 992?4284 Fax: (613) 992?4291