Threatened Gay Marriage Repeal Heats Up Canadian Election

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/12/121205canada.htm

Prime Minister Paul Martin lashed out Monday at threats by Conservative leader Stephen Harper to hold a vote on repealing the country's same-sex marriage law.

Speaking at a campaign stop in Ancaster, west of Toronto, Martin demanded to know how Harper would repeal the law when courts in the majority of provinces have already ruled it is unconstitutional to deny marriage to gay and lesbian couples.

Martin called on Harper to "come clean" and say whether he'd use the notwithstanding clause to override the Constitution and revoke same-sex marriage.

Speaking at an automotive parts plant Martin said using the clause - that allows a government to opt out of a section of the Constitution and which has never been used by a federal government - was an attack on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.