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Subject: Gov’t won marriage battle, but they might lose the war Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2006 23:56:22 -0800 From: Deanne Fernandes <deafern@telus.net> http://www.rcav.org/OLF/Programs/CivicAction/Election/article20051219a.htm Article Gov’t won marriage battle, but they might lose the war
By Pavel Reid From The B.C. Catholic With the federal election looming, I was recently urged to attend a meeting in Surrey of local politicians and religious community leaders concerned about the recent changes to Canada’s marriage laws.
Although the federal government did win the vote in the House of Commons to change Canada’s marriage law so that the legal union of any two persons could be called a marriage, it might well lose the upcoming election on this issue.
The changes to Canadian society will be far-reaching and deep if the government and other social institutions are not able to recognize marriage for what it is. The new law does not recognize that only the union of a man and a woman is marriage and needs to be treated differently than other unions.
Fears about the negative consequences that will result have drawn together a coalition of Canadian communities that otherwise might go their separate ways at election time. Our common concern over marriage and the family in Canada could well sway the votes of many and be the beginnings of a broad coalition of socially conservative voters.
That is what I saw last month when I spoke, together with a Muslim imam, a Sikh community leader, a representative of the Chinese Evangelical congregations, and local politicians, to a multi-cultural, multi-religious gathering of highly motivated citizens.
Two Members of Parliament, Gurmant and Nina Grewal, spoke passionately about family issues. Several candidates for Parliament, including Marc Dalton, Greg Matta, Kevin Pielak, Darrell Reid, and Greg Wattrich, were present in the audience.
Heather Stilwell, a tremendous defender of the family as a Surrey School Board member, was the keynote speaker.
The event, the work of a number of activists and organizations, served as a trial run for their efforts in the election, and as notice to politicians who have written off voters who insist that marriage be recognized in law as it truly is.
If social conservatives can continue to work together and build coalitions like the one that made such an event possible, then elections can be turned on social issues.
While it is true that Canadian voters, including socially conservative ones, care about other issues as well: taxation, health care, government corruption, and so on, there are many ridings that are decided by very slim margins. The next Canadian government will be decided by that five to 10 per cent of voters in a couple of dozen ridings that switch their votes.
Whether that government will be a Liberal or Conservative one could be determined by the new marriage-minded coalition that is forming, a coalition that will turn votes to those Liberals and Conservatives, as well as independents and candidates from smaller parties, who support marriage and the family, and away from those who don’t.
I am encouraged. I think you should be too.
Pavel Reid is the director of the Office of Life and Family of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Thoughts by Pastor Dave Carson, VPPF Leadership Team I recently attended a leadership meeting in Richmond with MP, Pat O'Brien (Liberal), former MP and Deputy Leader, Grant Hill, (PC), to discuss how the Christian community can mobilize to see a pro-marriage government elected in the 39th Parliament. This event was part of a cross-Canada, non-partisan, tour by 'Vote Marriage Canada', to rally strategic support for pro-marriage candidates. It was interesting that in the first election debate the Conservative Leader said that, while he would put the issue of gay marriage to the House of Commons for a vote, he would not try to get around any future court decisions by using the constitutional notwithstanding clause. This issue needs much prayer. Please see http://www.promarriage.ca and consider being a volunteer to pray.
3) http://www.promarriage.ca/votemarriage.htm "DEFEND MARRIAGE" TO OPERATE AS "VOTE MARRIAGE CANADA " FOR ELECTION WRIT PERIOD LONDON , Ontario - Outgoing London- Fanshawe , Ontario , Member of Parliament Pat O'Brien announced, today, that the campaign announced on November 22 nd by Mr. O'Brien and the Hon. Grant Hill, P.C., will operate as "Vote Marriage Canada" throughout the federal election, Writ period(...) Vote Marriage Canada operates as a third party under section 353 of the Canada Elections Act .
" It's time for Parliament and the Government of Canada to support and to promote marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman, the foundation of families and Canadian society. It's time to vote for marriage ," Mr. O'Brien added.
4) http://www.howdtheyvote.ca/ Have you ever wondered how your member of parliament has been voting? We've made it easy for you to find out! Examples: For those living in Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Westwood, the Conservative candidate James Moore voted in favor of Bill C-38 (in favor of redefining marriage). The pro-Marriage candidate in this riding is Greg Watrich (www.gregwatrich.com/ ) -In the North Vancouver Riding, the Liberal MP Don Bell voted in favour of Bill C-38. Cindy Silver (CPC) supports the traditional definition of marriage. Both interestingly enough attend the same North Shore Alliance Church.
5) http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/social/page_viewer.asp?SI_Page_ID=31 Election 2006 Do's and Don'ts for Churches
6) http://www.citizenimpact.ca/fed_election/order.html Brillant Posters to help turn around the appalling figure that only 50% of Canadian Christians bother to vote.
7) http://www.familyaction.org/Articles/issues/2006election/cdns-outside.htm Canada needs YOU to vote! Don't delay as mail takes time. Anyone who will be away from their riding - VOTE by mail in. Here is the link to Elections Canada for the form. http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=ins&document=index&dir=snow&lang=e&textonly=false In summary, A person who has a residence in Canada but is away from their riding can vote in the Jan 23 election. You must go to the Election Canada site - download a form , fill in the form, FAX back to 613-998-8393 or 1-800-363-4796. Note: Anyone can vote at any time once an election is called by simply calling your local returning officer.
8) http://www.familyaction.org/PDFs/2006-Voters-Guide.pdf 'Pro-Marriage Network' Voters' Guide for the Canadian 2006 Election
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