AFTER THE VOTE - CEM STATEMENT

December 7, 2006

Today, for the third time in three years, in three different Parliaments, under three different Prime Ministers, the House of Commons voted to affirm the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to affirm the inclusion of same-sex couples in civil marriage.

This issue is now settled. Even Mr. Harper admitted that.

This is a bittersweet victory, because today does not mark an advance in equality, but rather the defeat of an attack against us. We are happy that we can now avoid years of further divisive and difficult debate, but we are weary that for over a year now we’ve had to defend our hard-won inclusion in the fabric of Canadian society.

We are also heartened. We are heartened that the Canadian values of inclusion, equality and respect for difference have shown themselves to be stronger than ever.

A clear pattern has been established in the three votes that have been held in Parliament since the courts first ruled that excluding same-sex couples from civil marriage violates the Charter. This is a pattern of growing acceptance of equal marriage, a pattern that reflects Canada’s growing consensus on this issue.

The first vote was in September 2003, following the historic Ontario Court of Appeal ruling and the Chrétien government’s decision to accept that ruling. Mr. Harper, then leader of the Alliance Party, put forward a motion calling on Parliament to “take all necessary steps” to defend the one man / one woman restriction on marriage. That motion was narrowly defeated, 132 – 137.

The second vote was in 2005 on Bill C-38, the equal marriage bill introduced by the Martin government. It was a series of 4 votes actually, and each time the House of Commons voted decisively to extend the equal right to civil marriage across Canada. The final vote passed 158 – 133.

The third vote was the vote today on the Harper government’s motion to re-open this divisive debate. It was defeated by an even wider margin than the vote on Bill C-38 - more than twice as big! And in every single party, the percentage of MPs that voted for equality increased. That increase in support for equal marriage in every party in Parliament reflects the growing consensus among Canadians that this issue is settled.

We also note that many MPs who voted against Bill C-38 now consider the issue settled and voted against re-opening the debate. In addition, no MPs who voted for Bill C-38 wished to re-open the issue. They all voted against the motion to re-open, including all the Liberal MPs who were Cabinet Ministers when Bill C-38 was passed.

Most MPs, like most Canadians, have come to understand that equal marriage doesn’t harm anyone, it only makes life better for some. They have come to understand that a generous and inclusive definition of marriage actually strengthens the institution. They have come to understand that the only reason to exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage is discomfort, resistance to change and moral judgment. And they have learned that voting in favour of equality and inclusion feels really, really good.

Today we salute the political leaders who have had the courage to stand on principle and defend the Canadian way. They are champions of human rights. We would like to acknowledge NDP leader Jack Layton, Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, Liberal leader Stéphane Dion, former Liberal leader Bill Graham, Conservative MPs James Moore and Gerald Keddy and the many other MPs who took a courageous stand for equality.

We also want to salute all the Canadians who may have been uncomfortable with including same-sex couples in marriage, but who have come to accept and perhaps even embrace equal marriage. It’s you who have truly demonstrated the wonder of Canada – that people with such diverse backgrounds and beliefs get along and live together in peace and harmony. That ability makes Canada the envy of the world.

A word to those who are unhappy with the outcome of today’s vote. I know it’s difficult to accept that a belief you hold so dear is not enshrined in law. But what is enshrined in law is your right to hold that belief and to respectfully express that belief. That will never change. In fact, the inclusion of same-sex couples in marriage is a vindication of that right and indeed of all the rights embodied in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including freedom of religion.

Our common challenge now is to look at each other with eyes of understanding and compassion. To put aside our differences and focus on what we have in common. We all want to build a better Canada and a better world. And now that we’ve put this issue behind us, we can get on with that task.

In the not-too-distant future we will look back and wonder how it was that this was even an issue. We will be proud that Canada chose to continue its long tradition of inclusion and respect for diversity, and refused to turn back the clock on equality. And hopefully, one day, the idea that someone would hide their sexual orientation or their gender identity will make no sense at all.

We look forward to that day.

- 30 -