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Friday March 19, 2004
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Canadian Senate Hears Objections to Homosexual Hate Crime Bill - One Last Chance to Stop It
OTTAWA, March 19, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Yesterday pro-family groups presented their objections to homosexual hate crime bill C-250 before the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham, who appeared on behalf of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) stated, "Christians who take the Bible as the Word of God have reason to be concerned that Bill C-250 will limit religious freedom on issues of sexual morality." EFC President Bruce Clemenger commented on the bill saying, "While opposing the promotion of hatred against anyone, we are deeply concerned about the chilling effect this legislation may have on the legitimate expression of religious belief. We as a religious community want to ensure that the purpose of prohibiting hate speech does not criminalize the legitimate expression of religious belief, the resulting views of morality nor religious texts."
The Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC) presentation to the committee was made by medical doctor Andre Lafrance. Dr. Lafrance noted that the bill would restrict persons who want to speak to various concerns about "sexual orientation", in other words homosexual behaviour. Dr. Lafrance attempted to point out the medical dangers of homosexual behaviour as an example of speech that could be deemed hateful. However, he was interrupted and chastised for stating medical facts.
CFAC Executive Director Brian Rushfeldt commented that Senator Lynch Staunton "wonderfully proved our concern about oppressing free speech even when it is based on fact and truth." The senator interrupted and then said "what we have heard here today is mean-spirited...". At another point he interrupted with this comment, "I resent the attack on anyone's sexual behaviour." He also argued with the Dr. Lafrance about what should be allowed in debate for Bill C 250.
REAL Women Canada and Focus on the Family Canada also presented to the committee. In a subsequent release REAL Women Canada notes that Parliament is likely to recess around the first of April, leaving just two weeks to pass C-250 into law.
REAL Women urges that concerned citizens, deluge committee members "with demands to appear before the Committee on the basis that this is required for reasons of democracy and just plain decency." Persons representing a group before the committee will have their travel expenses covered.
Please write to:
The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, PC, MP
Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Senator John Lynch-Staunton
lynchj@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Jack Austin
austij@sen.parl.gc.ca
and Members of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs at The Senate of Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4.
The Members and their email addresses are as follows:
Senator George Furey, Chair
fureyg@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Raynell Andreychuk
andrer@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Tommy Banks
bankst@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator John Buchanan
buchaj@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Ione Christensen
chrisi@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Anne Cools
coolsa@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Mobina Jaffer
jaffem@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Serge Joyal
joyals@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Pierre Claude Nolin
nolinp@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator Landon Pearson
pearsl@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator David Smith
smithd@sen.parl.gc.ca
Senator David Tkachuk
tkachd@sen.parl.gc.ca
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