THE GLOBE AND MAIL - May 2, 2006

By GLORIA GALLOWAY

OTTAWA - Supporters of same-sex marriage say forestalling a decision on whether Parliament will revisit the controversial issue gives opponents of the unions time to muster their forces and manipulate the vote in their favour. Canadians for Equal Marriage says in a statement to be released today that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's delay of the vote "clearly panders to the religious right." The group argues that opponents of lesbian and gay marriages know they would lose if the issue were put before the House of Commons in the near future. "We think a delay does real harm to us," said Laurie Arron, the national co-ordinator for the group. "And, to the extent that this is a divisive and protracted debate, I think all Canadians are worse off." Mr. Harper has promised a free vote by MPs on whether to reopen the debate, which many considered to have ended last year when a majority of federal politicians agreed to change the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples. While the Prime Minister has said he would like to have that vote "sooner rather than later," he has also said it will not take place this spring.

The Defend Marriage Coalition, which represents 12 groups opposed to same-sex marriage, recently sent a letter to religious leaders across Canada urging them to take advantage of the extra time. "The delay in calling for this vote in Parliament provides us with a window of opportunity to ensure a winning vote in support of traditional marriage," the coalition wrote. "This will only occur if we are able to effectively marshal articulate voices in defence of children, families, and religious freedom." Reopening the issue will be crucial for religious organizations, which would likely face court challenges if the legal definition of marriage remains unchanged and they refuse to perform same-sex marriages, the letter says. "The initial vote will be, as the Prime Minister has promised, on a motion to reopen the issue in Parliament. We must win that initial vote." The coalition urges religious leaders to educate their congregations "by way of sermons as well as by the distribution of information sheets" about the ramifications of the vote, to contact the leaders of each political party to express a desire for a return to the traditional definition of marriage and to urge parishioners to write to newspapers and magazines.

Gwendolyn Landolt, national vice-president of REAL Women Canada, one of the groups in the Defend Marriage Coalition, said the same-sex legislation was pushed through undemocratically. "I don't think I am unreasonable to say that [the vote was undemocratic] when amendments were prohibited, and the cabinet was forced to vote for it, and closure was brought in so there was not a full debate." she said. "It certainly should be re-examined given all these implications," like the possible trumping of religious rights and the impact on children. The coalition has several strategies planned for pushing a return to the traditional definition of marriage, and the delay will provide more time for implementing them, she said. "I presume that's why the equal-marriage people don't want a delay," Ms. Landolt said. "They would like a rip-snorting vote right now before this can be properly aired. So we are glad to have this opportunity to work on our different strategies to get all of the information out and to get things in place for the debate."

Mr. Arron said any delay favours the opponents of same-sex marriage. "They have far greater resources than we do and far greater ability to mobilize than we do," he said. "Much of the opposition comes from organized religion. And they have people in the seats every Sunday. Contrary to popular belief, we don't have gay-agenda meetings. Our community doesn't get together every Sunday and talk about this stuff."