[RACooper]

Nfld.'s Conservative premier speaks out in support of gay marriage
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp.../nfld_same_sex

Thu Feb 17, 9:03 PM ET
DENE MOORE

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) - Danny Williams, Newfoundland's outspoken Conservative premier, said he supported same-sex marriage Thursday, offering a rationale that is diametrically opposed to the position taken by federal Conservative Leader Stephen Harper. With Harper once again under fire for his stance on the controversial issue, Williams split with his federal counterpart to say he personally supports the rights of gays and lesbians to legally wed.


"From a personal perspective, I actually support gay marriages," Williams said in an interview.

"I practised law for over 30 years and championed social justice and believed in minority rights and believed in the rights and freedoms of individuals under our Charter of Rights."

Williams was careful not to criticize Harper but his comments suggest the division dogging the Liberals on gay marriage is also creating a widening rift within Tory ranks.

Harper, like most Conservatives, has vowed to fight the Liberal government's proposed legislation to alter the legal definition of marriage.

"Same-sex marriage is not a human right," Harper said during debate on the controversial bill Wednesday.

"In my view, the onus is on those who want to overturn such a fundamental social institution to prove that it is absolutely necessary, and that there is no other compromise that can respect the rights of same-sex couples while still preserving one of the cornerstones of our society."

Williams said he would not impose his opinions on his provincial caucus and believes the federal leader shouldn't either.

"The problem occurs when there's an attempt to basically influence other people or exert your own influence and your own opinion on others in your party and not give them the right to choose and the right to express their opinions freely," he said in a telephone interview from Corner Brook, Nfld.

"I don't see that happening in this party."

Harper has said members of his caucus who intend to speak about the issue in the Commons must first submit their speeches for review by his office.

Meanwhile, Liberal cabinet ministers have been ordered to support the controversial bill but the government has said it would be a free vote for others.

Still, some members of the Liberal caucus have accused the government of trying to quash dissent.

Williams said the outcome of the debate in Ottawa has no bearing in his province, where the Newfoundland Supreme Court has already ruled that a ban on gay marriage violated the Charter of Rights.

The province became the eighth jurisdiction in Canada to allow same-sex marriage in December, following the ruling.

On Thursday, there was quick reaction to Harper's latest comments, particularly from those in favour of the legislation.

Pat Case, chairman of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, blasted the Conservative leader for suggesting the legalization of same-sex marriage is the "latest fad" of the Liberal government.



"To brush off this very important issue . . . is the government's fad du jour is disrespectful to the important work we do every day," Case said.

A national director of the National Association of Japanese Canadians said it was wrong-headed for Harper to cite the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War as an example of Liberal violations of human rights.

"Mr. Harper is resorting to cheap political shots at deceased politicians rather than facing the inconsistency of his position on human rights," Audrey Kobayashi said in a statement released Thursday.

The bill will likely be voted on by June.