OTTAWA, ON-New same-sex legislation made a profound leap toward becoming law in early September.
Despite a flurry of rallies across the country, some attracting thousands of supporters of traditional marriage, Canadian parliament narrowly endorsed the idea of same-sex marriage September 16.
In a non-binding vote, Members of Parliament struck down a Canadian Alliance motion 137-132 to maintain the traditional definition of marriage for "one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others."
The motion was almost identical to one put forward four years ago, when MPs upheld the traditional definition 216-55. The actual legislation to change the definition is expected to come before the House next year, following recommendations from the Supreme Court of Canada.
Meanwhile, the House of Commons also voted 141-110 in favour of passing MP Svend Robinson’s controversial Bill C-250 on September 17. If approved by the Senate and given royal assent, the private member’s bill will include sexual orientation in Canada’s hate-propaganda law.
The pending legislation is disturbing for many.
"We do not condone in any way, the promotion of hatred against anyone or any group," says Bruce Clemenger, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC).
However, the ambiguity of what this bill will capture may well silence what otherwise would be legitimate public comment on issues of sexual morality."
Others say the bill will further stifle debate over the proposed changes to the definition of marriage, despite government assurances that religious freedom will be protected.
"Canadians who are speaking out against the redefinition of marriage are already being accused of ‘hate’ speech by homosexual activists," Brian Rushfeldt, executive director of the Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC) told The Vancouver Sun. "When C-250 is passed into law later this fall, the activists will begin to insist on prosecution to silence their critics with criminal sanctions."
Sanctity of marriage
Rushfeldt and Canada Christian College president Charles McVety were instrumental in organizing marriage rallies in the weeks preceding the vote on same-sex marriage. September 1-7 was set aside as national "Sanctity of Marriage Week," ending with cross-country rallies on September 7 that saw thousands gathering in front of many MP’s constituency offices and in other public places to show their support for the traditional definition of marriage.
As various news media reported, attendance varied from just four people in front of Liberal MP Paul Martin’s constituency office in LaSalle, Quebec, to more than 1,000 at rallies in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Medicine Hat, Alberta.
McVety and Rushfeldt estimate that anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 people took part in the multi-faith rallies across Canada, including at least 1,000 members of the clergy. They say there were organized rallies in 220 of the 301 federal ridings, although many were reportedly organized at the last minute.
Overall success
Although supporters of homosexual marriage disrupted a few rallies, McVety applauded the overall event as successful.
"This, no doubt, will have a profound effect on the MPs and their ability to be re-elected," McVety told the Canadian Press in Toronto. "People of faith are traditionally very reserved and not too active in the process of democracy. However, today a sleeping giant has been awakened."
"A lot of people feel there should be a line drawn somewhere," said Brent Carter, pastor of Sheffield Baptist Church in Halifax and one of the rally organizers. "People are realizing unless people of faith stand up and say something, there is going to be a continued erosion of values in our country and it’s happening at a precipitous rate."
About 70 showed up for the rally at MP Andy Scott’s office in Fredericton.
"God can change the mind of the king, and so we have to pray that God will change the minds of these people that are determined to redefine marriage and family as something God never intended," said Heather Hughes, vice-president of the Fredericton chapter of CFAC.
Not just religious issue
In Ottawa more than 225 people gathered across from Liberal MP David Pratt’s office. The MP for Nepean-Carleton was one of the 61 MPs undecided about the legislation on the day of the rally.
"This is not simply a religious issue," said Arden Adrian, pastor of Cedarview Alliance, who led prayer at Pratt’s office, along with several other pastors from Pentecostal, Methodist, Baptist and other denominations. "There are more people concerned about this than the government realizes."
Prayer appreciated
About 100 people attended the half-hour rally outside Alliance MP Jim Cummins’ office in Delta, B.C.
Cummins, who voted against changing the definition of marriage, said the support was overwhelming.
"I thought it important for me to be here, because I like to know there’s some folks out there that are supporting me," he said after the rally. "I need prayers; I need all I can get. I’m a great believer in prayer. It’s the prayers of the people that make the difference."
In Calgary, about 250 people turned out at Joe Clark’s office, while more than 300 prayed outside Alliance MP Jason Kenney’s office.
"The message I hope this sends to our MPs and the government is that there are a majority of Canadians who don’t want to see this legislation go forward and want to see the sanctity of marriage protected as it is enshrined in the law now," said Phil Nordin, pastor of Jubilee Christian Centre in Calgary.
"Don’t mess with it."
(With files from Deborah Gyapong, Frank Stirk, Tim Callaway, Diane Trail and other news sources)
