OK, kiddo! Here are all the fantastically amazing posts tagged with Federal Liberals
The 2011 Gay Candidate Breakdown
So, there’s an election happening in Canada. If you live here, I’m sure you’ve been following it very closely and consequently have lost most of your hair due to exasperated tugging. If you live outside of Canada, you’re probably still up to speed since the international news media incessantly reports on Canadian politics, just like they do for the United States. (Snicker.)
Now, with 308 seats up for grabs and most of the major parties running a candidate in each riding, there should be some queer representation out there. And, indeed there is! According to Xtra, here’s how it adds up:
At the top of the list, we’ve got the New Democratic Party (led by Jack Layton) which has 10 openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual candidates. Next up is the Green Party (led by Elizabeth May) with 5. The Liberal Party (led by Michael Ignatieff) comes in third place with 3. And, to the surprise of no one, the Conservatives (led by Dillwad McHamsterface) are dead last with zero.
These numbers are exactly what I’d expect. The NDP have always had a pretty good record in supporting equal rights for GLBT Canadians, alongside the Greens who also include equality in their platform. The Liberals are mostly supportive, with some division within the party, and the Conservatives, bafflingly, fight against equal rights with clockwork consistency, often even trying to strip these rights away. It’s no wonder then, that GLBT Canadians with political aspirations are largely associating themselves with the NDP and Greens.
Will any of these translate into seats? That’s a different question—and it’s up to you. Yes, you. Well, unless you don’t have Canadian citizenship, in which case please don’t vote in this election. That’d be illegal.
Liberals To Discuss Un-Banning Gay Organ Donors
Michael Ignatieff, the leader of the federal Liberal Party, has outlined some important topics to be discussed at the upcoming party policy convention—and addressing the recent ban on gay organ donors is one of them.
Health Canada, under the direction of the Conservative government, banned all gay men from donating organs in December of 2007—even if a transplant patient urgently requires an organ to survive. The bizarre move drew immediate criticism from the medical community as being scientifically unfounded and dangerous, and doctors have outright refused to comply with the ban.
Still, the rule is officially on the books, and the Tories have shown no interest in reversing it. Considering that there are no alternative procedures for organ transplants, that all organs are screened for diseases, and that there is a constant shortage of donors, turfing the ban seems like a no-brainer to me. Here’s hoping the Liberals make it a quick policy point!
- Ignatieff calls Liberal policy convention ‘about plenty’ [The Hill Times]
Anti-Gay MP Joins Tories
Joe Comuzzi, the Liberal MP who resigned his cabinet position over same-sex marriage in 2005, is now the Tories’ latest member.
Comuzzi was a member of the Liberal party for 18 years, but left his swanky cabinet gig in disgust over the party’s support of same-sex marriage. Later, he was kicked out of the party entirely for supporting the Tory budget against party lines. Until yesterday’s move, he was sitting as an independent.
Of course, I imagine that half of the Tory caucus strongly disagrees with their latest member’s admission, and will vehemently insist that Comuzzi run in a by-election first. At least, that’s how I remember the party feeling about this sort of thing in 2005…
Ressurecting The Court Challenges Program
Defibrillator clear? It’s not too late! Opposition Leader Stephane Dion has vowed to restore the Court Challenges Program, which was unexpectedly turfed by the Conservative government last autumn after lobbying by “pro-family” special interest groups.
The Court Challenges Program was available to any group who wished to challenge unconstitutional laws, and was instrumental in awarding equal benefits for same-sex couples, among other important rights-related cases.
So, will this program actually be re-instated? Maybe if enough people in the government think that they ought to be protecting people from rights-trampling legislation rather than passing it… But, hey—when has Canada ever done anything quite so crass?
Our First Gay Prime Minister?
Cool beans! Scott Brison, Canada’s first openly gay federal cabinet minister, has applied for top job! Brison officially threw in his hat for the race to replace former prime minister Paul Martin on Monday. If his leadership bid is successful, and if the Liberals win the next election, Canada may get it’s first fabulously gay prime minister!
Predictably, anti-gay naysayers are already bleating that Canadians are “not ready” for a gay leader, but Brison is still considered a top candidate. During a press conference, Brison presented his vision.
I want to build a Canada where there are limitless opportunities and no glass ceilings, regardless of your gender, your sexual orientation, religion, or the colour of your skin.
You go, Scott! (And, yes, I now forgive you for being part of the Conservative party until 2003.)
- Brison joins Liberal leadership race [CBC Nova Scotia]
- Brison throws his hat into Liberal ring [Globe and Mail]
