OTTAWA, January 13, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The views of Canadians on the issue of homosexual ‘marriage’ or unions may finally be heard, as new Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced that he would be traveling the country soliciting public opinion on the subject.
Moreover, government sources have told the Toronto Star that the questions being put before the Supreme Court of Canada for a reference are to be expanded to include asking whether the traditional definition of marriage is constitutional.
The delay may push the homosexual ‘marriage’ issue beyond the next election which is widely expected to be held in May. However, Cotler defended the time it would take for public consultations saying, “We take what we have said seriously in terms of principles of governance and that is addressing, if not redressing, the whole notion of the democratic deficit. If we want democratic participation, then the one thing I have to do is certainly canvass the views of my colleagues.”
With files from the Toronto Star