Canadian Groups Condemn Decision Not to Appeal Homosexual ‘Marriage’ Ruling

TORONTO, June 18, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC), the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) and the Canadian Alliance – Canada’s Official Opposition Party all came out swinging against the Liberal Government decision not to appeal the homosexual ‘marriage’ court rulings in B.C. and Ontario.  “Chretien and the Liberals waited four days until Parliament had recessed for the summer to announce their decision on homosexual marriage,” said CFAC Executive Director Brian Rushfeldt. “The action is a serious blow to Canadians’ democratic freedoms and it is a bastardization of both judicial and parliamentary process. The decision to redefine the law was made by judges appointed, not elected, to their position. Ultimately, the voters of Canada had no say in this most fundamental of social policy decisions. Canada has become a judicial dictatorship supported by a political dictatorship,” he said.  The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) said it was “deeply disappointed” at the decision not to appeal the ruling which redefined the common-law definition of marriage. “We are deeply concerned that the effect of the redefinition will be to begin a process of marginalization for many churches and their clergy who currently participate in the civil registration of marriage,” said Clemenger. “As the right of religious exemption from the Court’s ruling was not addressed in the Court’s decision, we will watch carefully the legislation that will address religious freedom concerns.”  Canadian Alliance Justice Critic Vic Toews blasted the decision not to appeal saying the federal government has made a “grave error in judgment.” Toews noted, “An appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was the only way for elected Members of Parliament to be given the time and leeway to debate the issue in a democratic way.”  Toews, a member of the Commons Justice committee, said, “Martin Cauchon asked the House of Commons Justice Committee to travel the country and hear representations on same-sex marriage from all walks of life. We did that. We were writing the report.  But now, all that work has been thrown out the window.  The Liberals have abandoned their responsibility to the courts, and Parliament will not have its voice heard.  That is a shame.”  Toews also pointed to a resolution passed in the House of Commons in 1999 which states “that marriage is and should remain the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, and that Parliament will take all necessary steps to preserve this definition of marriage in Canada.” The Prime Minister, the current Justice Minister, and Paul Martin all voted in favour of the motion at the time.  See previous LifeSite Special Report:  SPEAKER WARNS HOMOSEXUALITY BEING USED FOR INTERNATIONAL SECULAR HUMANIST AGENDA https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/feb/030207a.html