SEPTEMBER 24, 3002 | News 4 Ring Bearer or Pallbearer ? The Issue of Same-Sex Marriage - Part 1 By Rory Conroy A Canadian Alliance motion to reaffirm the definition of marriage in Canada was narrowly defeated in the House of ‘ Commons on Tuesday, September 16, 2003. Although not a watershed socio-political epoch, this event certainly sets the political groundwork for the next federal election expected in 2004. The Alliance had hoped to block the federal govern- ment’s initiative to have the issue of same-sex marriage brought before the Supreme Court of Canada for judicial review. A spiteful and sometimes spurious 6 hour Commons debate ensued after the Alliance brought forth the motion: “That, in the opinion of this house, it is necessary, in the light of public debate around the recent court decisions, to reaffirm that marriage is and should remain the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, and that parliament take all necessary steps within the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Canada to preserve this definition of mar- riage in Canada.” The motion was defeated by the narrowest of margins when the speaker of the house was forced to cast a vote to defeat the 134 to 134 tie, the first such action in 40 years. A follow-up vote which called on Parliament to use section 33 Green means Go for Transit Changes U-PASS moves one step closer to realization with city’s new transit improvements of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the “notwithstand- ing clause” was defeated 137 to 132. Section 33 is an override clause that would allow Parliament to pass laws that are in conflict with court decisions and the Charter. At issue is the draft bill that is now before the Supreme Court for review which could change the wording and defi- nition of marriage in Canada. “Whereas * marriage is a fundamental institution in Canadian soci- ety * in order to reflect values of tolerance, respect and equal- ity consistent with the Canadian Charter of Right and Freedoms, access to marriage for civil purposes should be extended to couples of the same-sex; * everyone has the freedom of conscience and religion * officials of religions are free to refuse to perform mar- riages that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs; Therefore : * marriage, for civil purposes, is the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others.” Parliament is also asking the Supreme Court for advice and clarification on a number of related questions. *Is the draft bill within the exclusive legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada? * Is the section of the draft bill that extends capacity to marry to persons of the same-sex consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? * Does the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Charter protect religious officials from being compelled to perform a marriage between two persons of the same sex that is con- trary to their religious beliefs? The provocative issue of same-sex marriage in Canada has been propelled into public discourse by the recent gains made by gays and lesbians in the courts and in society in general. Presently before the House of Commons is Bill 250, a bill to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda) to include in “identifiable group”, colour, race, religion, ethnic origin or sexual orientation. Support for this bill has come from the United Nations and Amnesty International. This is the first of a 3 part series on same-sex marriage, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, equality rights and the role of the courts in Canada. Did you know Over the Edge By Kathleen De Vere Transit improvement in Prince George has- been given a green light, which means a UNBC U-PASS is one step closer to becom- ing a reality. At a meeting on September 15, city council approved plans for an overhaul of the current system. Funding for Prince George Transit is going to increase by $245,000 thousand dollars per year, which will be funded by increased city taxes. Some changes will be effective this fall, but the bulk of the actual changes will start in the new year. They will involve new routes for buses, scheduling changes, as well as improving and relocating some bus stops. The goal of all this will be to increase rider- ship by 10 percent over the next 15 months. Fare increases are also a part of the changes, the cost of cash fares will increase by September 2004. Students will be able to buy semester passes after the changes. A semes- ter pass would cost $105, a small savings over buying an equivalent of 4 monthly passes at a rate of $32 dollars a piece. NUGSS played a small but significant role in the transit improvement initiative, by meeting with city planners to give student input on the city’s transit system, as well as by endorsing the transit improvement initia- tive. In a letter to city council, NUGSS thanked the council for allowing them to participate, and stated that the transit improvements would be favourable to stu- dents. NUGSS also revealed they had been in discussions with the city’s consultants on the feasibility of a U-PASS. The letter states that “presumably, the City of Prince George would be in favour of a U-PASS program adopted at UNBC. A program of this type has been introduced in many communities in North America and guarantees the con- tinuous increase of transit users, as well as continuous improvement in the transit sys- tem. Ongoing transit improvement not only benefits the students at UNBC, it benefits the city as a whole.” The letter also stated that while a majority of students at UNBC were in favour of a U-PASS; however, with- out transit improvements NUGSS would not be able to successfully promote the U-PASS to students. Earlier in the week at a Board of Directors meeting NUGSS voted in favour of a motion to support the action of a referendum for the U-PASS for UNBC students. While the motion does not set any specific time or date for the referendum, it allows NUGSS to begin the process of bringing the U-PASS to referendum. loves to take your submissions? Of course you did. That’s why your going to e-mail us your poems, articles, or letters. Right now! Good, I’m glad we had this talk. over-the-edge@unbc.ca Dib You Know’? The library hours for the Fall semester are: Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday § The first 300 people will get a free pen and bookmark. Come on in and and get yours now. - « at x Research @ your fingertips Ui UNVERSAY OF NOH THERN BRITICH COLURETA Geoffrey R. Weller Library. _ 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. UNBC has appointed New Dean of Arts, Social & Health Sciences. James Randall , who was a faculty member in Geography at the University of Saskatchewan, and the Chair of the department for the last five years.