VANCOUVER, September 5, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – New Democrat Leader Jack Layton has admitted to media that he will not allow a free vote for his Party members on the homosexual ‘marriage’ legislation set to come before Parliament. Responding to the outpouring of concern in her riding, NDP MP Bev Desjarlais has said she opposes the legislation.
“This hasn’t been an overnight decision for me,” said Desjarlais. “It’s something that I’ve thought about for a long period of time, that I’ve talked to people with even before I was a member of parliament.”
But homosexual activist NDP MP Svend Robinson is adamant there will be no dissent on the issue in the party. “Jack Layton, as the leader, has been crystal clear on this. We’re not talking about a free vote on this issue. It’s an issue of fundamental equality,” said Robinson.
Despite the threats however, Desjarlais indicates that she will not toe the Party line. “Discipline within caucus is a far lesser worry for me than my living with myself over something I believe quite strongly about,” said Desjarlais.
To contact Bev Desjarlais Thompson Constituency Office: Room 105, 55 Selkirk Avenue Thompson, MB R8N 0M5 Phone: (204) 677-1333 Fax: (204) 677-1339 E-mail: [email protected] St-Georges Constituency Office: Box 178, 2B Place McDougall St-Georges, MB R0E 1V0 Phone: (204) 367-6150 Fax: (204) 367-6155 E-mail: [email protected] The Pas Constituency Office: 210 Fischer Ave., PO Box 68 The Pas, MB R9A 1K3 Phone: (204) 627-1440 Fax: (204) 627-1449 E-mail: [email protected] See the CBC coverage: https://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/2003/09/05/ndpsamesex030905