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CFAC Staff, family activist following Premier Klein's announcement
to accept the Supreme Court decision forcing Alberta
to add 'sexual orientation' to Alberta's Individuals
Rights Protection Act.
Today's announcement by
the Premier is, needless to say, a huge disappointment
for most Albertans. Twice in one week ordinary Albertans
have been slapped in the face. First, seven days ago
when Canada's Supreme Court abused its power by forcing
legislation on sexual orientation against the will of
Albertans.
The next time, our own
Premier who, in breach of trust, failed to stand up
for Albertans against the Supreme Court. Even worse,
he
went back on his commitment of consulting with Albertans
in making a decision. It was the Premier
himself who set up a task force of his own MLAs to report
back to caucus (private meeting of PC party MLAs) with
options in responding to the Supreme Court decision.
The Premier also encouraged Albertans to express their
opinions and to have the MLAs report back in 7 days.
He promised that all MLAs would be free to vote in caucus
on this issue.
It seems apparent that
Premier Klein ignored his own process (by making a decision
a day or more before the caucus meeting) and he ignored
the majority opinion of the people of Alberta. The Premier
discounted the voice of the people of Alberta by the
following:
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Minimizing
the significance of those with a 'faith based' opinion
on the issue. He looked for things like "God
Bless You' or 'We're praying for you' as indications
that these letters were from 'religious people'.
-
Discounting
calls and letters that came as a result of the CFAC
and associated organization information campaign.
He considered the opinions of thousands as orchestrated
(as if the other side was not). He referred to the
CFAC Action Alert in the Legislature as 'inaccurate'
and 'exaggerated', that this was "just about
protecting homosexuals against discrimination in
areas like employment and housing". And yet
all the points raised in the CFAC information campaign
have already been discussed in the media as the
'next steps' by the homosexual lobby.
-
He
stereotyped family, faith and community oriented
people by referencing a few letters that he called
hateful and 'sickening', as the reason for his decision.
He made a big issue of the letters of the few who
stooped to name calling and hateful or foolish language
but in so doing - ignored the vast majority who
made reasonable and sincere argument for using the
'notwithstanding clause'.
CFAC again states its position
on this debate This debate is not about real discrimination.
There is no evidence of substantial, systemic discrimination
against homosexuals in Alberta. Homosexuals enjoy lower
unemployment, higher paying jobs and greater influence
in society than average Albertans.
The real agenda for the
inclusion of 'sexual orientation' in the IRPA is that
of legitimizing and promoting the homosexual lifestyle
in our society. The implications of the inclusion of
sexual orientation in the IRPA are very real and far-reaching.
This debate was about:
-
Who
governs Alberta - unelected judges or those we elect?
Albertans expect their judges to be enforcing the
laws, not writing them.
-
The
debate was also about protecting our families and
our communities from further intrusion of Ottawa's
'cultural elite'.
In stating his position
Mr. Klein said "right or wrong I've draw my line
in the sand".
I have two things to say
to Mr. Klein. First You are wrong!
Secondly Lines drawn
in the sand don't last long things built on sand will
fall.
This nation has been built
on the proven values of family, faith and democracy
and these will outlast Mr. Klein.
Our message to the tens
of thousand of Albertans who took the time and made
the effort to speak for the family and for democracy
this is a wake up call for social conservatives. This
debate has awakened a sleeping giant a vast number
of Family, Faith and Community oriented people who are
genuine concerned about the direction our society is
heading.
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