EQUAL MARRIAGE: KEY MESSAGES - SPEEDY PASSAGE

1. Canadians want Parliament to decide on this human rights issue:

- Now that Parliament has approved in principle the government's equal marriage bill (C-38), and MPs have made up their minds on this issue, it's time to get on with it and let Parliament decide this issue before any election is called.

- Canadians have also made up their minds. An Environics poll released April 12, shows that a striking 76-percent of Canadians say there has been enough discussion of the issue of same sex marriage. And that it's time for a vote. Those numbers are consistent in every region, every age group, every religion and every political party. 70% of Conservatives say this.

- While some gay and lesbian couples are getting ready to celebrate their second anniversary, others live in the 10% of Canada where they are being denied their human rights. It's time for Parliament to act.


2. Opponents can not be allowed to subvert the will of Parliament by obstructionist game playing:

- Mr. Harper claimed during the last election that Parliament should decide the question of equal marriage. Since the Bill was introduced in February, every MP that wanted to speak to it has done so.

- During this debate, the Conservative leadership did everything possible to delay a vote on the bill.

- MPs have now voted on the bill. Twice. They have made up their minds. And yet the Conservative leadership says they will continue to stall. Mr. Harper can not have this both ways


3. There has been years of Public Consultation on Equal Marriage:

- The Commons Justice Committee held cross-country hearings in 2003, and heard from almost 500 members of the public, the majority of whom supported equal marriage.

- Equal marriage was thoroughly debated during the 2004 election and Canadians rejected Mr. Harper's position

- MPs have received extensive feedback from their constituents on this issue. The public has made its voice heard.