OTTAWA, March 11, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin has stacked a committee studying the same-sex “marriage” bill with Liberal members who clearly support the redefinition of marriage, according to a Canadian Press report. The leanings of the six Liberal members of the committee that is weighing the new act and will consider presentations from the public during its hearings, almost guarantees that there will be little if any changes to the 15 clauses in the bill.
“The odds are about as stacked as they could be,” against there being any changes made to the bill, according to London, Ontario Liberal MP Pat O’Brien, who is opposed to the bill. “The committee might have benefited by hearing from at least one Liberal who disagrees. That might have added something to the debate.”
Six of the 13 committee members are Liberals. In addition there are two members from the Bloc Quebecois and one NDP member, all in support of the same-sex “marriage” legislation, while the Conservatives have been allowed only four members, all of whom oppose the legislation. Committee members Réal Ménard (BQ) (Hochelaga, Quebec) and Bill Siksay (NDP) (Burnaby-Douglas, BC) are openly declared homosexuals.
A Homosexual activist web site that is tracking opinion in the House has determined that, of 308 MPs, 164 support the legislation, with 134 opposed and nine undecided. Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said he would like to see a vote on the measure before the summer recess in June.
The committee can officially begin its procedures if and when the bill passes second reading. In the meantime pro-marriage groups are strongly encouraging organizations to apply now to appear before the committee.
To request to appear as a witness before the committee write immediately to:
Mr. Jean-François Pagé Clerk, Legislative Committee on Bill C-38 House of Commons Room 603 Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Tel: (613) 944-4364 Fax: (613) 943-0307 Email: [email protected]
Pro-marriage Canadians are also encouraged to request that the Committee be permitted to travel across the country to hear witnesses and to complain to their MPs about the stacking of the committee.
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