OTTAWA, January 21, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Canadian pro-life and pro-family groups, religious groups and churches have launched a ground war to protect the traditional definition of marriage. That pressure is not being lost on politicians.
The Conservative Party, recognizing the opportunity for political gain, is now more openly acting to defend marriage from the Liberal government’s aggressive marriage re-definition agenda.
The Liberal Government, with the Prime Minister’s lead, is reacting to the developments by becoming even more entrenched in its agenda to impose marriage re-definition on Canadians.
Conservative leader Stephen Harper led with biting criticism of the Liberal agenda yesterday, warning that it could lead to legalization of polygamy, as US court cases have indicated.
“I believe we have to recognize the traditional definition of marriage in law, otherwise we will continue to be presented with demands that just get more and more radical,” he said. “I don’t believe there’s any support in the country for the recognition of polygamy in law.”
According to Globe and Mail reporter Brian Laghi who is covering Martin’s Asian tour, the Prime Minister was “riled” by Harper’s remarks. Martin reacted saying he was ready to go to an election to defend gay ‘marriage’.
“It is not my intent to go to elections with that,” said Martin. “We want – I want – to govern, if the question that you are asking me, are we ready to go to election to support the Charter of Rights, against people who want to attack it, the answer is absolutely yes.”
Martin called Harper’s warning “absolutely ridiculous” adding, “It is an extreme vision. Polygamy is against the law and will always be against the law.”
For his part, Harper welcomed Martin’s proposal for an election on the contentious issue. “I thought Mr. Martin had an agenda that he was planning to legislate, but if he wants to call an election on this issue, so be it. I am confident that our position on this issue is supported by a majority of Canadians,” he said.