jawnbc | Grateful to be Canadian, part MCXXXIII

An excerpt from Prime Minister Jean Chretien's speech to his (Liberal) caucus in Canada this week:

" There are other issues the government has had to deal with over the last year even if they were not part of our Throne Speech agenda. For example, we had to deal with Iraq. We had a very difficult decision to make. We made it in accordance with our values. Our belief in the United Nations and multilateralism and we acted as an independent country. We can be proud of what we did. Canadians have supported us overwhelmingly. Because of the decision we took on Iraq, some of our opponents say that our relationship with the United States needs to be rebuilt.

Let me tell you something. Our relationship with the United States and with the administration remains very strong and very healthy. We work very well together on many, many issues. There is nothing broken and nothing that has to be rebuilt. Although the relationship with the United States always has to be nurtured, as has been the case ever since 1867. Canada and the United States have never agreed on every single issue of foreign policy. There have always been some trade disputes between us. No two countries, no two friends, agree on everything. Disagreement on a few issues between close friends is a sign of maturity, not a sign of a troubled relationship.

Now, I want to address another important issue of concern to all of us that was not part of our agenda. I do not have to tell you how challenging the issue of the constitutional definition of marriage is for each and everyone of us. Many of you have written to me directly to share your concerns and those of your constituents. Circumstances demand that we deal with the issue now because of very recent court decisions based on the Charter of Rights. The Canadian Alliance has attacked the courts for years. They attack so-called judicial activism. It is code for their profound opposition to the Charter of Rights. A Charter that was passed by Parliament and that Liberals and all Canadians respect and cherish. So let us not fall into their trap on this issue. This is not about weakening Parliament. It is not about weakening traditional religion. It is not about weakening the Canadian social fabric. In fact, it is about giving Parliament its rightful voice. It is about protecting religious traditions and rites. It is about giving force and effect to Canadian values. Values of mutual respect, justice and equality.

All of us understand that Parliament must always act in accordance with the Constitution. In the case of same-sex couples, we need to be guided by how court after court has been interpreting the Charter of Rights. And the courts have been telling us that the notion of separate but equal has no place in Canada.

Therefore we drafted a bill that guarantees the absolute right of churches to decide what is required for a religious marriage and guarantees as well the equality rights of all Canadians. We are now asking the Supreme Court to tell Parliament what is in accordance with the Charter of Rights, because I know that Liberals, and the vast majority of Canadians, do not believe in using the notwithstanding clause. When Members of Parliament know what is possible within the framework of the Charter, then they will be able to vote in accordance with their conscience and with all the facts in a free vote with no instructions from party whips.

So I urge you all to give this careful consideration at the appropriate time. To cool the rhetoric. Not to fall into traps set by the Opposition. Believe me, for someone of my generation, born and brought up in the Catholic rural Quebec of my youth, this is a very difficult issue. But I have learned over 40 years in public life, that society evolves and that the concept of human rights evolves often more quickly than some of us might have predicted and sometimes even in ways that make some people uncomfortable. But at the end of the day, we have to live up to our responsibilities. And none of these are more essential than protecting the Constitution and the fundamental rights it guarantees to all Canadians."

I'm not thrilled with the free vote, but with the Bloc, NDP and half the PC caucus on side--and over 100 Liberal MPs--the legislation should go through.

Because it's fair and just.

Click here for the rest of his speech