The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Ottawa - Openly gay MP Svend Robinson scored a major triumph for same-sex rights Wednesday as MPs passed his private member's bill to extend hate-crimes protection to gays and lesbians. MPs voted 141-110 to amend the hate propaganda section of the Criminal Code. The change would add homosexuals to a list of groups legally protected from incitement of hatred and genocide. Robinson has fought for the inclusion since 1981. Gays have long protested the omission, citing the fact that homosexuals are frequently targeted for verbal and physical attacks. Conviction carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison. Montreal - Paul Martin laid out his economic blueprint Thursday, saying Canada must continue to cut debt, control spending and reduce taxes while doing more to support innovative companies. Martin, who is set to be crowned Liberal leader in November, appeared to dismiss advice from Prime Minister Jean Chretien that the next prime minister forget tax cuts and spend more on social and environmental programs. Ottawa - E-mail and browsing were still the most popular Internet activities in 2002, but growing numbers of people went looking for medical or health information, says Statistics Canada. Online banking and other specialized services also grew.
