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The
Conservative leadership has done everything in their power to
delay passage of the government's equal marriage bill, Bill C-38.
Following their defeat on April 12 on the vote on Stephen Harper's
amendment, they shed any pretense of allowing Parliament to act.
Now at the Legislative Committee, Conservative Justice Critic
Vic Toews is openly filibustering in a desperate, last-ditch attempt
to run out the clock.
Here is a history of the Conservative leadership's obstruction:
SECOND READING DEBATE
- When the second reading debate began on February 16, 2005 ,
Stephen Harper moved an amendment to the Prime Minister's motion,
which called for the House to decline to read the Bill a second
time. This procedural delay tactic is known as a “Hoist”.
- Conservative leadership advised the other parties they were
content to follow the usual procedure and have the vote on second
reading take place on the same day as the vote on Mr. Harper's
amendment. This was borne out by the fact that during debate Conservative
MPs spoke to the Bill itself, not the amendment.
- On March 22, after 47 MPs had spoken, the Conservative leadership
advised the other parties that the Conservative leadership was
insisting on an additional debate after the vote on the amendment.
They said that 10 – 12 Conservative MPs would speak in the additional
debate.
- Conservative leadership agreed debate was to end on April 4
or 5. On April 4, Conservative MP Steven Fletcher moved a Motion
for Concurrence which consumed 3 hours that had been allocated
for debate on C-38.
- On April 5, Conservative MP Bob Mills moved another Motion for
concurrence which consumed 3 hours that had been allocated for
debate on Bill C-38. As a result, the C-38 debate did not end
as had been agreed. It finally ended on April 6, after the government
allocated more time for it.
- Also on April 5, the Conservative leadership told the other
parties the Conservatives planned to have up to 20 MPs speak on
the additional debate.
- On April 11, the Hill Times reported “Tories poised to filibuster”
Bill C-38.
- On April 12, following the vote that defeated Mr. Harper's amendment,
Conservative Justice Critic Vic Toews told reporters that the
Conservatives would insist on as full a debate as possible before
the second reading vote, and would introduce further motions and
take additional measures to delay the vote. Earlier in the day,
Conservative leadership had made clear to the other parties their
intention was to do everything in their power to obstruct and
delay Bill C-38. The total number of MPs who spoke during the
second debate was 98, including 49 Conservatives.
- Conservative MPs used motions for concurrence over and over
again during the second round of debate on C-38. As a result,
the second reading vote did not take place until May 4. Once again,
the equal marriage bill easily passed this vote.
- During the second debate, 45 Conservative MPs opposed to the
Bill spoke, including 21 who had already spoken during the first
debate. The total number of MPs who spoke during the second debate
was 62.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
- The Legislative Committee on Bill C-38 met on May 5. Since second
reading means approval in principle, the purpose of the Legislative
Committee is to hear from technical witnesses on how best to implement
equal marriage.
- A Subcommittee was created to decide such things are which witnesses
the Committee will hear from. The Subcommittee includes a representative
of each party. The Subcommittee agreed to a balanced list of 41
groups and individuals.
- Witness hearings began on May 11, and four hearings were scheduled
for the week of May 16.
- On May 16, when the Committee was asked to formally approve
this list, Conservative Justice Critic Vic Toews objected. He
demanded that 15 additional witnesses, all opposed, be added.
He began his filibuster, which forced the Committee to cancel
witness hearings on May 17 and 18.
- On May 17, Mr. Toews presented his list of additional witnesses,
which had grown from 15 to 20. The Committee was willing to add
these witnesses provided a timeframe could be established for
the Committee's work. Mr. Toews said he could not respond immediately
as he needed direction from his House Leader.
- On May 18, Mr. Toews increased his demand to 22 additional witnesses
and refused to establish a timeframe for the Committee's work.
He threatened to hold up the Committee's work until he got his
way. When the Committee did not accept his demands, his filibuster
continued in earnest. He stopped it only long enough to hear from
4 groups opposed to equal marriage.
- The Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 30 at 3:30
pm in room 237C of Centre Block. No witnesses are scheduled. It
is unclear whether Mr. Toews will continue his filibuster, now
that the Conservatives say they are willing to let Parliament
get back to work. |
