OTTAWA, February 15, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Liberal MP Tom Wappel is, without question, one of the most vociferous defenders of the family in the House of Commons.
In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com today, the valiant and outspoken MP addressed the fact that many people were looking to same-sex civil unions as a compromise measure in the marriage debate.
“The focus has to be on the defeating of the legislation,” said Wappel.
He noted that the Supreme Court decision in the reference case explained that civil unions were not under consideration.
The Supreme Court of Canada addressed the issue of civil unions in their reference decision noting specifically that it was not even within the scope of federal legislation. “Civil unions are a relationship short of marriage and are, therefore, provincially regulated,” said the ruling.
Moreover, he noted that “If the same sex marriage legislation passes, any discussion of civil unions is totally irrelevant.” Concluding his point, Wappel advises, “People concerned about civil unions shouldn’t be concerned about it now . . . (they are) using brain cells that they could otherwise be using to focus on the problem at hand.”
Wappel sees grassroots activism as deciding the issue in Parliament. “Depending on the grass roots movement in Canada, some MPs may shift and the bill may be defeated,” he said.
The best thing to do in terms of moving MPs he said is to “Personally visit their member of parliament directly and speak to them advising them that it will change their vote in the next election.” He added, “It’s even more effective if those visiting are known supporters of the MP.”
Speaking of other forms of reaching MPs on the marriage issue, Wappel said, “Don’t waste your time with emails.”
On marches or demonstrations on Parliament Hill on this issue Wappel said they are “Totally ineffective. When was the last mass rally you feel achieved something instantaneously, it may affect things over a period of years. It’s much better to have rallies in front of the MPs office while he’s there.”
Wappel cautioned that rallies in front of offices may embarrass MPs and stressed again the preference of meeting with MPs personally.
Speaking on recent church leadership on the issue Wappel was very frank.
“They should have been doing it for the last ten years. The legislation is already drafted, the governments position is already taken, we just had a federal election, if they were going to say something they should have done so before the last federal election so people could have been acclimatized to who they were voting for and on what issues.”
His last piece of advice: “Keep praying!”
See also Liberal MP Warns that Same-Sex Union Compromise Strategy “Won’t Work”