Press Release

July 9, 2004

Harper’s Claims to ‘Centrism’ Fall Flat

“Needs to Lead by Example,” say Critics

Claims by Stephen Harper at his first post-election caucus meeting that he plans to move the Conservatives closer to the political centre were greeted with scepticism by community advocates today.

“If Harper wants to move the party closer to the centre, he should lead by example,” said Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director of Egale Canada, a national organization which advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified people, and their families, across Canada.

“Will Mr. Harper now acknowledge that he was wrong to accuse judges of acting unconstitutionally in recognizing gays and lesbians as a Charter-protected group? Is he now ready admit he was wrong to dismiss our relationships as nothing more than ‘sexual behaviours’?” [Hansard, September 16, 2003]

“Is Mr. Harper now ready to recognize gay and lesbian people as Canadians fully entitled to equality before the law,” asks Marchildon. “This includes, for example, the equal right to marry. If he is not willing to support full equality of all Canadians, then his latest pronouncement is merely window-dressing designed to dupe Canadians into believing much of his party is less intolerant than it really is.”

For more info:
Gilles Marchildon, 613-230-1043 (ofc.), 613-864-1133 (cel.)
Laurie Arron, 613-230-1043 (ofc.), 416-839-7178 (cel.)

Egale Canada ©2011

Canada's LGBT human rights organization: advancing equality, diversity, education, and justice.