Hear Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin’s address to the House of Commons before the vote on The Civil Marriage Act.
I was reminded of the religious power grab that has taken place in our country because of a leader who fails to understand that faith does not trump rights:
“We will be influenced by our faith but we also have an obligation to take the widest perspective — to recognize that one of the great strengths of Canada is its respect for the rights of each and every individual, to understand that we must not shrink from the need to reaffirm the rights and responsibilities of Canadians in an evolving society.”
Another thought I haven’t heard from the White House lately:
“The Charter was enshrined to ensure that the rights of minorities are not subjected, are never subjected, to the will of the majority. The rights of Canadians who belong to a minority group must always be protected by virtue of their status as citizens, regardless of their numbers. These rights must never be left vulnerable to the impulses of the majority.”