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.
Dear Editor: Since the Supreme Court ruling on the issue of same sex marriage, I have been asked numerous times where I stand on this pivotal issue. My answer is the same as it has been for the past year and a half.Ê I stand firmly in support of the traditional definition of marriage and firmly in support of the traditional family. In the period leading up to, and during the election campaign this spring, the issue of whether to maintain the traditional definition of marriage was one that came up very frequently on doorsteps across northern Saskatchewan. The overwhelming majority of constituents told me that they wanted to see traditional marriage protected. Contrary to Liberal spin, the Supreme Court did not rule that the traditional definition of marriage was unconstitutional. Indeed, the Court determined that the issue was one that Parliament must decide. Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin has threatened to remove from Cabinet any member who votes to preserve the traditional definition of marriage. NDP Leader Jack Layton has promised to kick out of the party any NDP MP who votes to reflect either their conscience, or the views of their constituents, by voting to maintain traditional marriage. In stark contrast to this dictatorial approach, Stephen Harper has made clear that Conservative MPs will be free to vote how they choose on this issue. Harper has also stated that the Conservative Party will be introducing three amendments to the Liberal same-sex marriage bill. The first would protect and enshrine the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others. The second would guarantee equal rights and benefits in law for homosexual couples.Ê The third would ensure legal protection for religious institutions to carry out their activities as they see fit. When the same-sex marriage bill finally comes before Parliament (expected sometime in February), citizens of the Desneth - Missinippi - Churchill River riding can be assured that I have heard their voice, and will be voting to preserve traditional marriage. Sincerely, Jeremy Harrison, M.P. Desneth-Missinippi-Churchill River
