On February 28, Conservative Senator Noel Kinsella introduced Bill S-2, a Senate Bill to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians.
“We applaud the Senator for his initiative and leadership in advancing basic equality rights”, said John Fisher, Executive Director of EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere). “It is a sad day for the Liberal Party when a Conservative Senator has to take action on human rights because a Liberal Government seems incapable of keeping a simple promise.”
Fisher added: “The Prime Minister‘s leadership on this issue has been non-existent. Just this week, the Prime Minister said in his address on the Throne Speech: ‘No-one—after more than two years in office—can question the honesty and integrity of this Government and its Ministers. No one. Canadians know that when this Government gives its word, it keeps it.’”
“Nothing could be further from the truth. Senator Kinsella has been forced to act precisely because the Liberal Government does not seem capable of keeping a simple promise. Senator Kinsella’s amendment is welcome, but is no substitute for clear, decisive government action. The federal government has been overtaken by the provinces, the Courts, the public, and now the Senate. The government must act to keep its promise before it is even further embarrassed.”
Bill S-2 mirrors a previous measure Bill S-15 which previously passed through the Senate, but lapsed with the 1993 federal election.
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