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LIBERAL GOVERNMENT VOTES DOWN CHILD PROTECTION MOTION

Government puts "the interests of sexual predators, and now horses, above the interests of children"

OTTAWA, April 24, 2002 (LSN.ca) - The majority of Liberal and Bloc Québécois MPs combined to defeat a Canadian Alliance motion (163-62) yesterday aimed at protecting children from sexual predators. The Alliance put forth a motion yesterday in the House of Commons that recommended tougher provisions against child pornography, and raising the legal age of consent to at least 16.

The motion read:
"That the government immediately introduce legislation to protect children from sexual predators including measures that raise the legal age of consent to at least sixteen, and measures that prohibit the creation or use of sexually explicit materials exploiting children or materials that appear to depict or describe children engaged in sexual activity."

Five courageous members of the Liberal Party chose to vote for the protection of children despite the animosity of their party to such measures. Dan McTeague, Tom Wappel, Albina Guarnieri, Janco Peric, and Joe Volpe all stood to vote for the motion to protect children. Pro-lifers were dismayed however to see other pro-life and pro-family Liberals actually vote against the motion.

The vast majority of Canadians oppose lax laws regarding child porn and endorse raising the age of consent for sex. "Thousands of everyday Canadians have spoken out on these issues," said Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville (Saskatchewan). "My office has received more than 15,000 postcards and petitions condemning Canada's lax laws on age of consent."

Just after the private members motion was voted down, another piece of private member's business was passed on the "Canadian National Horse." Commenting on the irony of the back to back votes, Alliance Senior Justice Critic Vic Toews said in the House today, "Yesterday was a great day for the Canadian horse, but Canadian children were not so fortunate. This Liberal government voted unanimously to give Canada a national horse but voted against two motions to protect our children against sexual abuse." To a standing ovation by some House members, Toews concluded, "Why does this Liberal government continue to put the interests of sexual predators, and now horses, above the interests of children?"

See where your MP voted on the motion:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/chambus/house/debates/174_2002-04-23/HAN174-E...

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