A rchive Date
[ 10-05-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Canada ]
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[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2003/05/09/83520-cp.html
MP regrets remarks about gays
Fri, May 9, 2003
OTTAWA (CP) - Conservative MP Elsie Wayne says she regrets offending some people with her controversial remarks about gays, but she stopped short of apologizing Friday.
Wayne, who has been under fire for a rant Thursday in which she condemned gay activism and same-sex marriage, issued a statement saying: "I regret that some have been offended by my remarks because this was certainly not my intention."
"Rather, my only goal was to reiterate my support for the historic definition of marriage."
Tory Leader Joe Clark issued a rebuke Friday of Wayne's comments, but he shied away from firing her as deputy party leader. Instead, he noted pointedly that her term in the post will end in another three weeks anyway.
Clark's statement said neither he nor the party share her views.
"As a citizen, she is entitled to express her personal opinions but should be conscious of their impact on others," said Clark.
He went on to note that he named Wayne as deputy leader in recognition of her previous service as interim leader of the party, after Jean Charest moved to the Quebec Liberals and before Clark came out of political retirement to take the job. "As my deputy, therefore, her term will end with mine on May 31, 2003," Clark said.
That is the date the Tories choose a new leader. Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay is widely seen as the front-runner in the race.
During a debate in the House of Commons on Thursday, Wayne said gay couples should "shut up" about their lifestyles and stop pressing for legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
She followed those remarks outside the House by saying that she considers the homosexual lifestyle "unfortunate" and thinks most people see it as "not natural."
Tory MP Scott Brison, a party leadership candidate who is homosexual, described Wayne's comments as "rabid prejudice" and called on her to step down as deputy leader.
Former NDP leader Alexa McDonough described Wayne's remarks as "hatemongering" and called on Clark to take a stronger stand - including dismissing Wayne as his deputy immediately if she refuses to apologize.
Commons Speaker Peter Milliken was drawn into the fray Friday when New Democrat Libby Davies maintained that Wayne's remarks, which flowed from a House debate on same-sex marriage, violated the privileges of fellow MPs. Milliken agreed the comments may have been unfortunate, but he ruled they did not constitute a breach of privilege, a finding that can lead to censure or disciplinary action.
"I recognize that members sometimes say things that are hurtful to others or perhaps inappropriate," said Milliken. "But we do have freedom of speech in the House."
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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