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OTTAWA, December 11, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – As the House of Commons prepared to rise for its Christmas break this week, several Members of Parliament have urged Canadians to buck the trend towards political correctness and wish their fellow citizens a “merry Christmas.”

Notably, two of the MPs were Sikhs and another was the pro-abortion leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May.

On Tuesday, Parliament’s last day before Christmas, pro-life Sikh Tory MP Nina Grewal (Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC) lamented that some are “trying to dampen [the] spirit” of Christmas “in an effort to be inclusive and to avoid causing offence.” Her remarks drew a standing ovation on the Conservative side of the aisle.

“Political correctness and commercialization dilute the true meaning and the spirit of Christmas. Christians must not be denied the right to openly celebrate it,” the Sikh MP said. “Christmas cannot be Christmas without Christ in it.”

Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Multiculturalism and also a Sikh, told the House of Commons during Question Period Nov. 29th that it is “not offensive at all” to wish someone “Merry Christmas” during the holiday season.

He noted that it is a common practice to acknowledge holy days for people of other faiths, so should be no different for Christians.

“Canada has a long tradition of pluralism and it is truly wonderful that people of all faiths are able to practice and celebrate their traditions openly in Canada,” he said. “True diversity means respecting the traditions of all Canadians, including those of Christian Canadians. I ask all members during this Christmas season to wish our Christian friends a very merry Christmas.”

Uppal’s comments came in response to a question from pro-life MP David Sweet, who noted that Canadians are often told to say “happy holidays” instead of “merry Christmas.”

“Political correctness is diluting Christmas in a well-intentioned but unnecessary attempt to be inclusive,” said Sweet. “After all, we deck the halls of Parliament with Christmas trees, not holiday trees.”

The Conservative Party has recently taken on the issue of political correctness around Christmas.

Last year, Treasury Board president Tony Clement sent a memo to federal employees telling them they have the freedom to decorate public offices. The memo came after a situation in 2011 where Service Canada’s Quebec head had banned Christmas decorations in the department’s offices across the province.

“Our government will not allow the Christmas spirit to be grinched,” he said.

The leader of the Green Party is also promoting respect for the “real spirit of Christmas.”

“Forgive me for saying for those who are atheists and of other religions, but I think they will allow me to say on this occasion of the expectation of the birth of our Lord, that we await His coming and we celebrate Christmas in the spirit of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ,” Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC) told the House Dec. 10th.

“For those of us who are Christians, it is a very important occasion and we are happy to share it and happy to be able to say merry Christmas,” she continued. “For everyone else who is not following this observance as a religious event, happy holidays. May everyone have a wonderful time with family.”