Campaign For Equal Marriage
We need a final push over the next week or two in order to ask that this legislation be passed before the summer break. Following please find talking points. CEM is asking that you use your network to contact MPs who you know to be supportive and encourage them to get it done.
CONTACT YOUR M.P. NOW!!
June 6, 2005
Emerging Issue:
Strong possibility that C-38 will be adopted before summer
Background:
The Conservatives have hauled out every delay tactic they can think of to stall and obstruct the adoption of equal marriage legislation. However, last week the government stated it will do everything in its power to pass the bill into law before summer.
Conservative Justice Critic Vic Toews claims that the Liberals are simply "ramming the bill through as quickly as possible." In response, he has announced his party will press for several substantive amendments in its bid to reinstate the definition of marriage as the exclusive domain of one man and one woman.
In terms of process, the Legislative Committee has agreed to report back to Parliament on June 16. Then there will be two stages remaining in the House: (1) report stage (where amendments are debated) and (2) third reading. It's expected that procedural measures will be used to prevent multiple debates at each stage, but multiple debates are a risk. Assuming 100 people speak at each debate and there are two debates (one at report stage and one for third reading), approximately 50 hours of House time will be required.
The House of Commons is scheduled to rise June 23, but the government says it will extend the session beyond June 23 if necessary to pass third reading. The Bill would then go to the Senate. Senate government leader Jack Austin has stated the Senate will sit as long as necessary to pass the Bill.
The major risk is that individual MPs will not wish to sit past June 23, and that Liberals opposed to the Bill will go so far as to try to bring down the government to stop the Bill. The Defend Marriage Coalition is blitzing opposed Liberals, asking them to do just that.
We're close to passing the Bill, but we're not there yet! Opponents are pouring it on. We cannot stand idly by.
It's important that supporters contact MPs urging the adoption of the Bill before summer. Below are talking points to raise when in contact by mail, e-mail, phone or one-on-ones with Members of Parliament.
It is especially important that those who have earlier made contact with MPs contact them again.
Talking Points:
As a lead-in to your letter or conversation you could say: Hopefully, I'm writing (talking to, calling) you for the last time about this*
Canadians are ready for Parliament to decide. A recent poll shows 76% of Canadians say there's been enough discussion about the equal marriage bill, and it's time for Parliament to vote and move on. 70% of Conservative voters agree.
After two long years of debate, everybody's made up their minds. There are no MPs left to convince. They are all decided.
Prolonging the debate would only waste Parliament's time and taxpayer money. It's time to stop this nonsense and get on with it. Let's be done with the issue once and for all.
If this is "fast-tracking", what's the slow track? It has been anything BUT a fast track. In fact, it's been two long years of debate, including cross-country hearings, a federal election campaign, two extensive Parliamentary debates and three separate votes in Parliament. There hasn't been a piece of legislation debated as thoroughly or as publicly as equal marriage.
Certainly you don't want to be talking about this all summer and in the lead-up to the winter election.
If it has the will, Parliament can pass the Equal Marriage Bill now. If we wait until the fall, who knows? This current Parliament is unstable and it may not be possible to pass the Bill in the fall. It could be that Parliament doesn't even sit in the fall.
Contact your GLBT Representative:
PSAC Ontario Council Representative for
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered Members
John Ross
P.O. Box 325
Hagersville, ON N0A 1H0
(W) (519) 751-2584
(H) (905) 768-3756