Let the Circus Begin! - Same-Sex Marriage Debate Opens in Candian Parliament

[RACooper]

Martin, Harper face off in parliamentary debate over gay marriage
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...a/gay_marriage

OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Paul Martin and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper squared off Wednesday as Parliament kicked off debate on the Liberal gay marriage bill.

Martin, who has promised a free vote on the issue, told the House of Commons that it's a matter of protecting minority rights.

"I rise in support of a Canada in which liberties are safeguarded, rights are protected and the people of this land are treated as equals under the law."

He also emphasized that the bill respects religious rights by not forcing churches to perform same-sex unions.

Harper countered that it's possible to guarantee minority rights while protecting the traditional definition of marriage. He said the Supreme Court didn't say traditional marriage is unconstitutional.

Harper proposed civil unions or partnerships which would guarantee gays the same rights as marriage.

He also said it's "staggering" that some Liberals accuse the Conservatives of being bigots for opposing gay marriage given that they voted in support of traditional marriage as recently as 1999.

A majority of provincial courts have ruled that denying marriage to gays is unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Ottawa has exclusive jurisdiction to decide who has the right to marry. It also said religious groups are not obliged to perform unions against their beliefs.

The bill is expected to pass this spring with the support of most Liberal, Bloc Quebecois and New Democrat MPs, along with a few Conservatives.

Most Conservatives oppose the bill, and many Liberals also have deep reservations and may break ranks with Martin when the matter is put to a free vote.