TORIES OFFER TRADEOFF TO SPEED BUDGET BILL

By Alexander Panetta for the Globe and Mail

Ottawa — The Conservatives have offered to allow the speedy passage of a $4.6-billion budget bill if the government delays its same-sex marriage legislation.

The Tories are willing to curb their opposition to an NDP-inspired budget amendment, House Leader Jay Hill said Wednesday.

But there's a catch: They don't want to see a vote on the same-sex marriage bill until fall.

“There's been some negotiations,” Mr. Hill said. “If we were to get a delay of C-38 (the marriage bill) until the fall and perhaps some other concession, we'd be happy.”

In exchange, he said the Tories would avoid a “full-court press” on the budget bill, meaning they wouldn't filibuster the legislation.

The Tories have threatened to put up 90 speakers to oppose and delay the budget bill, said sources in another opposition party.

Such a tactic would force the Liberals to make a politically sensitive decision: suspend debate, extend the Commons session into the summer, or delay a budget vote until fall.

The Commons is scheduled to rise for its summer break next week and resume sitting in September.

“(One) primary concern of ours is that we get out of the spring session with C-38 not progressing further,” Mr. Hill said.

“If we can get that, it'll be worth our while to see (the budget bill) C-48 go. Because eventually they're going to get C-48 anyway.”

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Paul Martin seemed to promise the Commons would not rise for the summer until the same-sex bill had passed.

But opposition stall tactics would make that difficult without ordering a stop to the debate, said Martin spokesman Scott Reid.

“The government committed to make every effort without summarily cutting off debate and others' views to get C-38 passed this session,” Mr. Reid said.

“That remains our hope but the fact of the matter is that if the Conservatives are determined to obstruct and filibuster, it may be difficult.”

A gay-rights activist reacted to news of a possible Tory-Liberal deal with a colourful protest method.

Alex Munter arrived on Parliament Mr. Hill carrying a plastic spinal cord and pelvis, urging Mr. Martin to show some backbone.

“We're asking the Prime Minister to show leadership and determination,” said Munter, national co-ordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage.

“I'm here today to call on the government not to cave in to Conservative blackmail and trade away an important piece of human-rights legislation.”

News of a possible arrangement came after the Tories protested vigorously against the $4.6-billion budget deal with the NDP.

In return for their 19 votes, the NDP secured billions for housing, the environment, foreign aid and education.

Mr. Hill had a snappy reply when asked how Canadians might react to news that his party's opposition to same-sex marriage trumps its opposition to $4.6-billion in extra spending.

“This isn't about what Canadians are concerned about. The reality is it's about trying to make Parliament work,” he said.

A Conservative spokesman said his party continues to oppose the NDP budget deal and will vote against it.

He said any deal with the Liberals would only affect the timing — not the result — of the vote.

“We're voting against C-48, no matter what,” said Tory spokesman Dimitri Soudas.

“We are playing fetch with the Grits and they are running.”

The prospect of a delay in the marriage bill pleased Liberal opponents of same-sex weddings.

The bill appears destined to pass, so why rush it through before summer, asked Ontario MP Paul Szabo.

“I want to see the bill dealt with in a manner that no one can say it was rammed through,” he said.

“We know you need about 14 members of Parliament to change their vote, to change the result on C-38.

“I'm not sure whether or not that's possible. I guess anything is possible but it's not likely.”