OTTAWA, Ontario (BP)–Canada’s beleaguered Liberal government could fall in the next week, and with it, a bill that would legalize “gay marriage” nationwide.
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin will hold a “confidence” vote May 19 on his $196 billion federal budget, and if his party loses the vote, an election likely will be held on June 27, the Toronto Star reported. (Unlike the U.S., Canada does not have scheduled elections.)
The Liberals have a plurality but not a majority of seats in Parliament, and have forged a partnership with the New Democratic Party to try and stay in power until the budget passes. But the two other parties — the opposition Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois — are trying to oust the Liberals.
If the government doesn’t fall soon, a bill that would legalize “gay marriage” almost certainly will pass Parliament. It is being reviewed by a committee. If the bill were to pass, Canada would join Belgium and the Netherlands as the only countries to legalize “gay marriage.” It already is legal in seven of 10 Canadian provinces and one of three territories.
Canada held an election just last June, when the Liberals lost their majority government status. In Canadian politics, a party must win at least 155 of the 308 seats in Parliament to form a majority government. The Liberals currently only hold 132 seats — which means the other parties can topple the government when they so choose.
Generally, the defeat of a federal budget — which the Liberals write — forces an election.
“It is clear that in keeping with our parliamentary tradition, the question of confidence in the government must be settled soon, clearly and definitively,” Martin said, according to the Star. “If the government loses the vote next Thursday, I will seek the dissolution of this Parliament. Canadians will know that [Conservative leader] Stephen Harper and [Bloc Québécois leader] Gilles Duceppe have worked together to force an election less than one year after the last election.”
Harper and most Conservatives oppose “gay marriage.” Most members of the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party support it. Martin and most Liberals also favor “gay marriage.”
But even if the government falls, the Conservatives would have to win Parliament in order to guarantee that the “gay marriage” bill is not brought back up. If the Conservatives were to win, Harper would become prime minister.
The latest polls show mixed results for the Conservatives. One poll, by Strategic Counsel, shows that if an election is called, the Conservatives would receive 31 percent of the vote, the Liberals 27 percent. Yet a Decima poll put the Liberals ahead of the Conservatives, 37-28 percent.
The Liberals are in the midst of a political and financial scandal that some are calling Canada’s version of “Watergate.”
The Liberals already have lost one critical vote. On May 10 the Conservatives and Bloc won a vote, 153-150, demanding that the Liberals resign. Martin brushed it off, saying it was merely a procedural vote and not a confidence vote.
The confidence vote could be even closer. Two Liberal members of Parliament (MPs) missed the May 10 vote. In addition, an independent MP, Chuck Cadman, is battling cancer but is expected to be there May 19. He missed the May 10 vote and is undecided how he’ll vote on the confidence motion. To add to the drama, one independent MP who voted with the Liberals May 10 says he’s undecided how he’ll vote on the confidence motion. The speaker of the House, a Liberal, would break any ties.
PETITION IN CALIF. — A constitutional marriage amendment was defeated in separate legislative committee in California May 10, drawing promises from pro-family leaders that they will take the issue to the public.
An amendment that would ban “gay marriage” and civil unions was defeated in the Assembly judiciary committee on a 6-3 vote and in the Senate judiciary committee on a 5-2 vote.
“This disturbing display of arrogance against marriage and the voters means average Californians must take matters into their own hands and pass a constitutional amendment to protect marriage once and for all,” Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families, said in a statement.
Thomasson said his group was authoring an amendment and would gather signatures to place it on the 2006 ballot.
In 2000 California voters passed by a margin of 61-39 percent an initiative banning “gay marriage.” But earlier this year it was struck down by a state judge. The ruling is being appealed.
MINNESOTANS OPPOSED — A Minnesota poll is showing opposition to “gay marriage” is not simply a red state issue.
The poll showed that 52 percent of Minnesotans oppose legalizing “gay marriage” or civil unions. Thirty-eight percent support it.
The Star Tribune poll of 832 adults asked: “Do you favor or oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into a legal union that would give them many of the same rights as married couples?”
In addition, 51 percent said a marriage amendment is needed in the state. Forty-six “agreed strongly.”
Minnesota hasn’t gone Republican in a presidential election since 1972.
–30–
For more information about the national debate over “gay marriage,” visit http://www.bpnews.net/samesexmarriage
