The latest issue (June 5) of Report magazine presents the answers of the three top candidates for
the leadership of the Canadian Alliance party to ten questions given them by the magazine. Several
of the topics covered will be of interest to LifeSite readers.
On Referenda
Regarding democratic reforms, the candidates were asked whether, if Prime Minister, they would
pass CA MP Ted White’s Citizen Initiated Referendum Act. The bill allows Canadians to initiate
laws by petitioning the government to conduct referenda on specific legislative proposals.
Stockwell Day’s short answer was, “Yes.” Tom Long also said, “Yes”, adding that he would also
push for “member recalls, free votes in the House of Commons and parliamentary committee review
of proposed judicial appointments as well as appointments to federal boards, agencies and
commissions. Preston Manning didn’t commit to passing the bill during his first year in office,
but said he supports the principles of the bill and that those principles would be “a high
legislative priority.”
Kyoto
On the international Kyoto agreement on greenhouse gases, which many see as part of the United
Nations’ broader population control agenda, the candidates were asked whether or not they would
withdraw Canada’s support for the accord. Day said he would, adding that he supports “a rational
approach to emission reduction, and Alberta is leading the way.” Manning said he would adopt a"more realistic strategy and timeline for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and controlling
global warming.” Long’s elaborate answer seems to be “no,” although he said that a proper
consultation process must take place, which examines social and economic costs and benefits
before “we take on obligations like those in the Kyoto accord.”
Notwithstanding Clause
The CA leadership candidates were also asked if they, as Prime Ministers, would implement the
notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights if the Supreme Court of Canada rules in favour
of child porn possession being legal. Manning said he would invoke the clause, adding that he
supported a motion in the House of Commons to do so to overturn the original B.C. ruling. Day
said that it is not the prerogative of a Prime Minister to do so, but he would “recommend to
Parliament to invoke the notwithstanding clause.” Long said he does not believe that the
notwithstanding clause should be used without “direct voter participation” in the decision,
but that he would use it with the public’s support if the Supreme Court ruled against Canada’s
children.
Special Interest Group Funding
In terms of spending cuts, Report magazine asked the three candidates which departments, agencies
or programs would be the first to be “eliminated”. Among Day’s answers was “special interest
groups.” Long also said he would cut special interest group funding, or as he put it,“subsidization of private political activities (interest group funding in Heritage Canada
primarily).” Manning showed similar lack of respect for the value of Sheila Copps portfolio,
identifying the Canadian Heritage Department as one of the top three areas he would slate for
cutting.