Canadians – including most Tories - overwhelmingly reject Harper’s plan to filibuster equal marriage bill

OTTAWA – A striking 76-percent of Canadians are sending a stern message to Tory Leader Stephen Harper: it’s time for Parliament to finally vote on the equal marriage bill.

The data is part of an independently commissioned poll released today at a press conference in Ottawa by Canadians for Equal Marriage (CEM).

The poll, conducted by Environics Research Group, asked Canadians across the country whether or not they feel there has been enough discussion of the issue of same sex marriage. Three quarters of respondents indicated that not only has there been enough debate, but it’s time for a vote. And those numbers are consistent in every region, every age group, every religion and every political party.

“Stephen Harper is clearly out of step with Canadians. He’s also out of step with Conservative Party voters – 70 per cent say it’s time to move on to other issues,” said Alex Munter, spokesperson for CEM. “There is not a single, undecided MP in this House of Commons and very few undecided Canadians. Voters expect MPs to settle this issue and focus on the many other pressing issues in the country.”

Yet undaunted, the Tory leader is poised to filibuster the government legislation by triggering yet another debate on the bill even if, later today, MPs vote down his plan to exclude lesbian and gay Canadians from the protection of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

MPs have been debating equal marriage for nearly two years, ever since it became legal in Canada. After holding cross-country hearings in 2003, the Commons Justice Committee voted in support of equality. In September of that year, the Commons rejected a Canadian Alliance motion to use the notwithstanding clause to trump the Charter of Rights. The issue was debated during the 2004 election and again in the Commons after the bill was tabled February 1.

Two thousand and twenty two Canadians from across the country were surveyed for this poll. DETAILED SURVEY BREAKDOWN AVAILABLE USING LINK BELOW.

-30-

For further information: Marie-Josee Lapointe
613-244-5777 (G-4 Communications)
613-794-4620 (mobile)

RELATED DOCUMENT:

EnvironicsPOLLenough.doc