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OTTAWA, March 12, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The original sponsor of the homosexual hate crime bill, homosexual activist MP Svend Robinson, gave a presentation on the legislation to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs where the bill is now being considered.  In his presentation Wednesday, Robinson falsely claimed that there are no major religions opposing the proposed legislation.  In his presentation Wednesday, Robinson said, “No leader of a major religion in Canada that I am aware of has voiced opposition to this legislation.  I speak here, for example, about the United Church, the Anglican Church, the Catholic Church, the Jewish community, the Muslim community, the Buddhist community.  However, I am not suggesting there are not some religious leaders who are opposed.  The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, for example, continues to oppose the legislation.  That is certainly the case.  Overall, however, that opposition does not exist.”  In fact, LifeSite has reported that Catholic, Muslim, Evangelical, and Protestant leaders have denounced the bill warning it will harm religious freedom and freedom of speech.  On Thursday, Conservative Senator David Tkachuk pointed out Robinson’s error saying that Robinson made a statement “that religious leaders were not opposed to this bill, except for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.  That is simply not true.  The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops certainly can be described as religious leaders in this country, and they have sent letters to the Commons committee on this.  They are opposed to Bill C 250, and I consider them religious leaders.” Tkachuk continued, ” If we are going to deal with this properly, we have to be careful about what is being said here. We are parliamentarians, and I am offended this member of Parliament should know better than to say that to us when it is not true.  I am offended by that.”  For the time being the bill remains in the Senate Committee which is hearing presentations on the bill.  Thus far LifeSiteNews.com has been refused an opportunity to present to the committee.  According to Senate sources, the Senate will not sit again after this week until March 23.