Supporters of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms will gather on Parliament Hill Thurs. June 10 to mark the one-year anniversary of equal marriage in Canada and to speak against the current threat to Charter protection. On June 10, 2003, the Ontario Court of Appeal struck down discriminatory laws that denied lesbian and gay Canadians access to civil, non-religious marriage.
Participants Thursday will include:
a same-sex couple celebrating their one-year anniversary this week. They are concerned that a Conservative government could use the Notwithstanding Clause to annul their marriage.
spokespeople of a range of organizations who care about the Charter, representing literally millions of Canadians
Ed Broadbent, past leader of the NDP and candidate for Ottawa Centre as well as Richard Mahoney, Liberal candidate for Ottawa Centre
The event will be moderated by Alex Munter, National Co-Chair of Canadians For Equal Marriage, and Lisa Lachance, who celebrates her wedding anniversary June 11.
Participants will be celebrating the Charter and sending a message to politicians like Stephen Harper who say they want to use the Notwithstanding Clause of the Constitution to deny Charter protection to gay and lesbian people, in order to take away their ability to legally marry. Participants will send a clear message that the Charter of Rights should apply to all Canadians.
| WHAT: | Rally and Picnic |
| WHY: | To celebrate and protect the Charter |
| WHERE: | Parliament Hill, main lawn |
| WHEN: | Thurs. June 10, 2004, 12:15 to 1 pm |
For more information:
Alex Munter, Canadians for Equal Marriage, (613) 236-5492
Denis-Paul Cloutier, (613) 862-3110
Laurie Arron, Canadians for Equal Marriage, 416-928-1238 (o), 416-839-7178 (c)
Cicely McWilliam, Canadians for Equal Marriage, 416-928-1238 (o)
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