(Ottawa) Canadians ended more than a dozen years of Liberal rule on Monday, electing a minority Conservative government.
For most voters it was an issue of 'new blood' rather than a ringing endorsement of conservatism.
Paul Martin's Liberals had been beset with a series of scandals and was seen as tired. "Voters decided the Liberals needed a time out," said one television commentator.
At the same time voters weren't in favor of giving Stephen Harper's Conservatives a majority. The Tories won 124 seats and the Liberals 103. The results were much closer than polls were showing only a few days ago.
The small left of center New Democratic Party was the big winner of the night - doubling their seats to 29 and putting the party in a position to be the power broker in the new Parliament.
NDP leader Jack Layton said he would make an issue by issue decision on whether or not to support the government.
If the party supports the Tories legislation will pass. If the party sides with the Liberals they could defeat the government.
"The people of Canada asked Mr. Harper to form a new government and the people of Canada have asked New Democrats to balance that government," Layton told supporters in Toronto.
For Layton the election was a double victory. His wife, Toronto city councilor Olivia Chow, also was elected to Parliament.
The Conservative dependence on the NDP will likely mean no revisiting same-sex marriage legislation.
Harper said on the first day of the campaign he would attempt to repeal the marriage equality law. With the New Democrats, the separatist Bloc Quebecois, and the Liberals all opposed to changing the law there is little chance same-sex marriage in Canada will end anytime soon.
While the Conservatives saw some of the party's most anti-supporters elected it also saw a wider number of moderate Tories win support. For Harper the big job will be in balancing the two factions.
In a lengthy speech to supporters Harper outlined his agenda for the new Parliament. Absent was any mention of same-sex marriage.
Longtime gay New Democrat candidate Svend Robinson lost his bid for a return to politics in British Columbia.
Robinson, 53, resigned from politics in 2004 after admitting that he had shoplifted a diamond ring that he said was sparked by the stress of a hectic work schedule and a mild bipolar disorder for which he was taking medication and seeing a therapist.
In Nova Scotia, Scott Brison the gay man who quit the Conservatives in the last Parliament and joined the Liberals was re-elected. Openly gay Bloc MP Real Menard also was re-elected
The election also marked the end of Paul Martin's political career.
Martin told supporters following the election that he was stepping down as party leader.
"My dedication to the Liberal family will never wane,'' Martin said in his Quebec riding of LaSalle-Emard.
"But I will not take our party into another election.''
One of the highlights of his political career was pushing through marriage same-sex marriage equality last year.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
All eyes are on Canada today
(Ottawa) Canadians are voting for a new Parliament today in an election that could result in the repeal of same-sex marriage legislation.
Public opinion polls show the opposition Conservatives likely to win but whether Canadians will hand them an absolute majority remains to be seen.
The Conservatives oppose same-sex marriage but for most Canadians the big issues have been a series of scandals that have rocked the governing Liberals and Conservative Party promises to clean up government and cut taxes.
After 12 years in power the Liberals have grown sluggish and many Canadians just say its time for change - any change. That sentiment is helping the smaller opposition New Democrats. Polls show the NDP could have its best showing in more than a decade.
Vote rich Ontario has seen a resurgence in the NDP, especially in the cities which have traditionally been Liberal. Suburban and rural areas appear solidly Tory.
In Quebec, where the biggest Liberal scandal - over advertising kickbacks during the last independence vote - took place, the Bloc Quebecois are likely to pick up seats. But speeches by Conservative leader Stephen Harper have played well in the province and Tories also are looking to win more seats all at the expense of Liberals.
The issue of same-sex marriage came up on the first day of the campaign - an attempt by Harper to get it out of the way early. The Tory leader said that if his Conservatives form the next government he will reopen the marriage debate and put it to a free vote in Parliament.
During the leader's debates the issue came up again as the three other party leaders demanded to know how Harper would repeal the law without using a constitutional opt-out called the notwithstanding clause. Harper said he would not bypass the Constitution but has never said how he intended to get around the gay equality provisions.
In the waning days of the campaign Harper said repealing same-sex marriage was not one of his major priorities although it was still on his "to do" list if he wins.
If Canadians today elect a minority Conservative government same-sex marriage is safe. The New Democrats, Bloc, and the bulk of Liberals oppose any change in the current law.
But should Harper win a majority the issue could come into play. Yet even that is uncertain. With the Conservatives making a concerted effort to portray the party as centrist it selected a number of candidates like former broadcaster Peter Kent who support gay marriage.
Nevertheless, the Tories still have more than their share of extremists, supported by the Christian right, who have made same-sex marriage their main focus while campaigning. Attempts by the media to interview those candidates have been thwarted by national party handlers afraid extremist views could aid the Liberals.
Conservative Christian groups in the US have sent tens of thousands of dollars to their Canadian counterparts. Much of the money has been filtered to the Tory party.
With polls showing the likelihood of a Conservative government American conservatives have been warning their members to keep a low public profile for fear of tipping the election to the Liberals.
"Canadian voters have been led to believe that American conservatives are scary and if the Conservative Party can be linked with us, they can perhaps diminish a Conservative victory," Paul Weyrich, president of the Washington-based Free Congress Foundation, wrote Thursday in an e-mail to other conservative leaders, a copy of which was obtained by the Globe and Mail newspaper.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the oldest LGBT civil rights organization in the US however made a final appeal to Canadian voters and issued a warning for American gays.
"If the Conservatives succeed in Monday's election, not only will it cause years of turmoil in Canada, it will embolden continued right-wing attacks on the values of dignity, fairness and equality here in the United States," said NGLTF executive director Matt Foreman.
Public opinion polls show the opposition Conservatives likely to win but whether Canadians will hand them an absolute majority remains to be seen.
The Conservatives oppose same-sex marriage but for most Canadians the big issues have been a series of scandals that have rocked the governing Liberals and Conservative Party promises to clean up government and cut taxes.
After 12 years in power the Liberals have grown sluggish and many Canadians just say its time for change - any change. That sentiment is helping the smaller opposition New Democrats. Polls show the NDP could have its best showing in more than a decade.
Vote rich Ontario has seen a resurgence in the NDP, especially in the cities which have traditionally been Liberal. Suburban and rural areas appear solidly Tory.
In Quebec, where the biggest Liberal scandal - over advertising kickbacks during the last independence vote - took place, the Bloc Quebecois are likely to pick up seats. But speeches by Conservative leader Stephen Harper have played well in the province and Tories also are looking to win more seats all at the expense of Liberals.
The issue of same-sex marriage came up on the first day of the campaign - an attempt by Harper to get it out of the way early. The Tory leader said that if his Conservatives form the next government he will reopen the marriage debate and put it to a free vote in Parliament.
During the leader's debates the issue came up again as the three other party leaders demanded to know how Harper would repeal the law without using a constitutional opt-out called the notwithstanding clause. Harper said he would not bypass the Constitution but has never said how he intended to get around the gay equality provisions.
In the waning days of the campaign Harper said repealing same-sex marriage was not one of his major priorities although it was still on his "to do" list if he wins.
If Canadians today elect a minority Conservative government same-sex marriage is safe. The New Democrats, Bloc, and the bulk of Liberals oppose any change in the current law.
But should Harper win a majority the issue could come into play. Yet even that is uncertain. With the Conservatives making a concerted effort to portray the party as centrist it selected a number of candidates like former broadcaster Peter Kent who support gay marriage.
Nevertheless, the Tories still have more than their share of extremists, supported by the Christian right, who have made same-sex marriage their main focus while campaigning. Attempts by the media to interview those candidates have been thwarted by national party handlers afraid extremist views could aid the Liberals.
Conservative Christian groups in the US have sent tens of thousands of dollars to their Canadian counterparts. Much of the money has been filtered to the Tory party.
With polls showing the likelihood of a Conservative government American conservatives have been warning their members to keep a low public profile for fear of tipping the election to the Liberals.
"Canadian voters have been led to believe that American conservatives are scary and if the Conservative Party can be linked with us, they can perhaps diminish a Conservative victory," Paul Weyrich, president of the Washington-based Free Congress Foundation, wrote Thursday in an e-mail to other conservative leaders, a copy of which was obtained by the Globe and Mail newspaper.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the oldest LGBT civil rights organization in the US however made a final appeal to Canadian voters and issued a warning for American gays.
"If the Conservatives succeed in Monday's election, not only will it cause years of turmoil in Canada, it will embolden continued right-wing attacks on the values of dignity, fairness and equality here in the United States," said NGLTF executive director Matt Foreman.
Officials Reverse Position, Lesbian Cop To Get Dying Wish
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 21, 2006 - 10:00 am ET
(Trenton, New Jersey) Ocean County freeholders will grant Laurel Hester her dying wish, to have her death benefit given to her same-sex partner.
Despite state law allowing local governments to grant health and other benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees Ocean County has steadfastly refused to do so.
For months Sgt. Hester, who has inoperable brain cancer, has pleaded with freeholders to pass an ordinance recognizing same-sex partners for the purpose of benefits.
Earlier this week, with only a few months to live, she made a final plea from her hospital room. (story)
Appearing weak, and breathing with the help of a machine, she said on a video tape that she feared partner Stacie Andree would lose the home they shared after Hester dies.
With little doctors can do for, except make her as comfortable as possible, Hester has been a released from hospital and is now at home.
Until she became too ill to work Hester was a lieutenant with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. She had worked there for 23 years - more than half her life - and is a member of the New Jersey Police and Firemen's Retirement System.
Although the state's five other pension systems allow its members to pass pension benefits to domestic partners the NJPFRS does not. Under the state's domestic partner law local governments can transfer pension benefits.
The death benefit amounts to about $13,000.
Following Hester's emotional appeal freeholders refused to reopen the issue. But following news coverage including television reports which showed Hester's deteriorating condition, freeholders were besieged with critical phone calls and emails.
Late Friday state Sen. Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean) said he intends to bring in legislation that would amend the police and fire pension fund to permit domestic partners to receive benefits.
That was followed by a conference call between state GOP leaders from the county and freeholders.
The conference call ended with freeholders agreeing to a special meeting next Wednesday where a new vote will be taken and Hester will be allowed to transfer her benefits.
"This is one of the happiest days of my life," Hester said on Saturday morning. "I feel like David conquering Goliath."
Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality - the group that fought for Hestor and prepared the video so she could make her final appeal to freeholders - expressed relief on Saturday.
"Truth be told, we did lose hope for a reversal in the last couple of weeks. We had applied all the pressure in the world, embarrassing the freeholders as few public servants had ever been before in the state of New Jersey or in this country, and they would not budge. Finally they did. Hallelujah! There is a God."
Whether Wednesday's vote will apply only to Hester or will be extended to all same-sex partners of county workers is not yet known.
Freeholder James F. Lacey said Saturday that he still feels the benefits issue is one for the legislature. "I don't want to pay to clean up for the state," he said.
But he agreed that Hester's situation cannot wait for state lawmakers to act..
Following Hester's desperate plea this week in Ocean County two other New Jersey municipalities have changed their laws.
Camden County and Passaic passed ordinances offering health and pension benefits to the domestic partners of their employees. (story) Five other communities in the state also provide domestic partner benefits.
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 21, 2006 - 10:00 am ET
(Trenton, New Jersey) Ocean County freeholders will grant Laurel Hester her dying wish, to have her death benefit given to her same-sex partner.
Despite state law allowing local governments to grant health and other benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees Ocean County has steadfastly refused to do so.
For months Sgt. Hester, who has inoperable brain cancer, has pleaded with freeholders to pass an ordinance recognizing same-sex partners for the purpose of benefits.
Earlier this week, with only a few months to live, she made a final plea from her hospital room. (story)
Appearing weak, and breathing with the help of a machine, she said on a video tape that she feared partner Stacie Andree would lose the home they shared after Hester dies.
With little doctors can do for, except make her as comfortable as possible, Hester has been a released from hospital and is now at home.
Until she became too ill to work Hester was a lieutenant with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. She had worked there for 23 years - more than half her life - and is a member of the New Jersey Police and Firemen's Retirement System.
Although the state's five other pension systems allow its members to pass pension benefits to domestic partners the NJPFRS does not. Under the state's domestic partner law local governments can transfer pension benefits.
The death benefit amounts to about $13,000.
Following Hester's emotional appeal freeholders refused to reopen the issue. But following news coverage including television reports which showed Hester's deteriorating condition, freeholders were besieged with critical phone calls and emails.
Late Friday state Sen. Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean) said he intends to bring in legislation that would amend the police and fire pension fund to permit domestic partners to receive benefits.
That was followed by a conference call between state GOP leaders from the county and freeholders.
The conference call ended with freeholders agreeing to a special meeting next Wednesday where a new vote will be taken and Hester will be allowed to transfer her benefits.
"This is one of the happiest days of my life," Hester said on Saturday morning. "I feel like David conquering Goliath."
Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality - the group that fought for Hestor and prepared the video so she could make her final appeal to freeholders - expressed relief on Saturday.
"Truth be told, we did lose hope for a reversal in the last couple of weeks. We had applied all the pressure in the world, embarrassing the freeholders as few public servants had ever been before in the state of New Jersey or in this country, and they would not budge. Finally they did. Hallelujah! There is a God."
Whether Wednesday's vote will apply only to Hester or will be extended to all same-sex partners of county workers is not yet known.
Freeholder James F. Lacey said Saturday that he still feels the benefits issue is one for the legislature. "I don't want to pay to clean up for the state," he said.
But he agreed that Hester's situation cannot wait for state lawmakers to act..
Following Hester's desperate plea this week in Ocean County two other New Jersey municipalities have changed their laws.
Camden County and Passaic passed ordinances offering health and pension benefits to the domestic partners of their employees. (story) Five other communities in the state also provide domestic partner benefits.
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