Will publicly announce in Dec. his leadership race intentions - Conditions set for dissidents
OTTAWA, September 5, 2001 (LSN.ca) - During a Canadian Alliance Party press conference late this afternoon, Stockwell Day responded to a reporter asking whether he agreed with Preston Manning on stem cell research. In a Canadian Press interview released last Friday, Manning indicated that he supported destructive research on human embryos.
Day stated “Preston Mannings’s position, as I understand it to be, is a personal one and on a personal basis I don’t agree with the particular position he’s taken related to ongoing research regarding embryos and stem cell research, especially when it is involving the destruction of embryos. That’s my position as an MP”. He continued, “I thoroughly agree with the position put forward by Preston Manning related to the fact that we need to see funding issues addressed, especially related to adult stem cell research. We need to see a very clear ban on cloning itself. So the position they tabled Friday is a position which caucus endorses and will continue to discuss. As I understand it, as I read it, he also indicated a personal preference of his related to destruction of and the use of embryonic cells.”
Mr. Day also indicated that he will be making a speech on the issue when it is scheduled to be debated in Parliament on Oct. 6
On the leadership question, Day confirmed that he will step down as the leader of the party at the end of December but will reserve until sometime in December the announcement of his leadership race intentions.
The press conference was called to announce the Alliance caucus decision today on the fate of the suspended party dissidents. Day stated that the caucus agreed that “any or all” of the dissidents could come back into the party if they met the following conditions: 1. Reaffirm their belief in Alliance policies and abide by CA constitutional principles. 2. Re-sign the CA protocol (which would commit them to not publicly criticizing other party members). 3. Accept the results of the March 2002 leadership race. 4. Agree to engage in unity discussions with other political parties only when approved by and under the auspices of the CA caucus.
The suspended members have been given until Monday September 10 at 12 noon EST to decide if they can accept the conditions. If they decline or fail to respond they will be expelled from the caucus.
See previous report on Manning’s support for destructive embryonic stem cell research and the party’s statement calling for a ban on cloning and the creation of embryos solely for research purposes. http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2001/sept/010904.html#1