The NDP, most of the Bloc Quebecois, a majority of Liberals, and four Conservative MPs voted against the Tory attempt to deny the existence of gay marriage. This result was achieved despite an unprecedented campaign against civil rights mounted by religious and conservative extremists, funded in part by U.S. counterparts.

When opponents of equality began losing their cases in the nation's courts, they turned to government to maintain discrimination.

"Two of the Liberals most upset with their party on same-sex marriage -- Ontario MP Pat O'Brien and Alberta MP David Kilgou -- have mused openly about joining the Tories in the next election or ending their political careers."

Globe and Mail, Apr. 12, 2005

Parliament has now spoken. But Harper and his band of extremists don't like the answer and they're determined in their attempt to attack the rights of gays and lesbians. Harper has threatened to bring down the Liberal minority government and make same-sex marriage an election issue. If elected, he would create second-class citizens by invoking the notwithstanding clause to strip gays and lesbians of Charter rights.

As we enter the wedding season, most citizens of Canada already live in a region where same-sex marriage is a consummated reality. More and more families are being built upon same-sex marriages. Yet Harper continues to believe he can ride into the Prime Minister's office on a wave of homophobia.

A lot of the conservative members in the Canadian House of Commons debate seem to be arguing that it is for legislators to decide whether to have same-sex marriage. But surely they are missing the point. Legislators decided that a generation ago, when the Canadian Parliament adopted the Charter ... All that is happening now is that people are coming to realise what the Charter means in the field of mariage law. And that is rightly a matter for the courts, not the legislature, to decide. Best wishes in the cause!

email from Augur Pearce, Cardiff, UK, April 12, 2005.