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QUEBEC UNDERMINES MARRIAGE LAW TO DEFY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The beleaguered separatist government in Quebec, the Parti Quebecois, now standing last in the polls, is desperately attempting to create a crisis within the federal government by using marriage as its hapless pawn, in a last-ditch attempt to save itself from possible political extinction.

It is well known that the definition of marriage is a matter within federal jurisdiction under our founding constitution, the British North American Act (BNA Act). The provinces only have jurisdiction over the solemnization or procedures relating to the marriage ceremony. The reason that our constitutional fathers assigned this power to the federal government is because a citizen cannot be married in one part of Canada and not be married in another part of the country - hence a national or federal definition is necessary.

The Quebec government has announced, however, that it no longer wishes to be a part of the federal government's so-called discriminatory and biased policies against homosexuals, which oppose homosexual marriage. As a result, the government has proposed, in Bill 84, that Article 365 of the Quebec Civil Code be amended. Article 365 now provides that marriage refers to a man and woman only and is in harmony with the federal law. The proposed amendment to the Civil Code has deleted this provision.

Further, under Bill 84, the Quebec government proposes to recognize three types of conjugality in Quebec, with all parties to these arrangements to be referred to as "spouses". The three arrangements include those who are:

1. united in marriage;

2. united in a civil union; and

3. united in a common-law arrangement.

The civil union arrangement in Quebec differs from the civil union arrangements in the provinces of Nova Scotia and Alberta, in that the Quebec proposal tampers with marriage, since civil unions there are to be regarded the same as traditional marriage with identical benefits and privileges. The only difference between the civil union and traditional marriage under Bill 84 is that the civil union can be dissolved by a simple agreement signed in front of a notary (providing there is no child born of that union); however, a traditional marriage, which will always remain the best environment for women, children and men, will require a formal divorce decree by the courts.

Quebec already has the lowest marriage rate in Canada with 60% of its children born out of wedlock. This provision will cause Quebec to experience even more alarming statistics in regard to marriage, since many couples will likely choose the civil union approach over traditional marriage because it provides an easier entry to and exit from the relationship. In effect, who will now bother with legal marriage in Quebec when they can receive the same rights and privileges as those in a civil union and, furthermore, change their minds with impunity? A strong family necessitates strong bonds, but Bill 84 facilitates the choice of non- commitment over traditional marriage.

Another questionable provision in Bill 84 is that when one of the partners in a lesbian relationship becomes pregnant, her partner will be considered and recognized in law and referred to as the "father" of the child. The biological father will have no rights whatever to the child, whether the procreation was medically assisted or not.

Finally, an especially tragic provision in this Bill is that it will permit the adoption of children by same-sex parents, whether one of the parents or none of them is biologically linked to the child. This is not in the best interest of children. Rather, they are being used as helpless pawns in this drama, which deliberately antagonizes the federal government.

Studies published in the American Psychological Review in 2001 (see Reality, July/August 2001, "Why Homosexuals Should Not Adopt Children," page 9) and in the University of Illinois Law Review, among others, show that non-traditional arrangements are detrimental to the well being of children.

Why this Bizarre Bill?

The homosexual lobbyists in Quebec have become immensely powerful, threatening anyone who resists their agenda with job loss, humiliation and intimidation. Montreal has also grown into one of the world's greatest Meccas for homosexuals. Its gay village is one of the biggest in the world, filled with gay saunas (bathhouses) and male strip bars, where anything goes, with no police interference. In fact, Montreal ranks as one of the world's most open cities for homosexuals. With the strength of the homosexuals in Quebec, politicians have totally capitulated to their demands. As a result, no political party has dared to oppose Bill 84. Liberal Opposition Leader, Jean Charest, has agreed to support the bill as has Mario Dumont, leader of the Action Démocratique du Québec (ADQ), which is now second (and in recent polls, first) in popular support.

Some of the few organizations which dared to oppose this bill, include the Catholic Bishops, pro-family organizations such as REAL Women, Focus on the Family, Campaign Life Coalition Quebec, the Association of Catholic Parents, the French Alliance of Protestant Evangelicals, the Association of Catholic Lawyers, and Daniel Cormier, Pastor of the Evangelical Protestant Church in Montreal, founder of the "No Committee 2006." (See Reality, March/April, "Royal Bank Officially Confirms Its Policy of Discrimination," p.1.) He is also the founder and president of Québec's Wisdom Party. Mr. Cormier organized a rally of these organizations on May 20th, in front of the National Assembly in Quebec City. There were approximately 300 people in attendance. This rally received surprisingly fair coverage from the French language media.

It is ironic, however, that homosexuals, in general, apparently do not want these civil unions which are being ruthlessly sought by homosexual activists. According to a research paper funded by the Law Reform Commission, similar legislation in European countries which provides for registered unions for homosexuals has been ignored by the homosexuals, primarily because of privacy concerns.

The province of Quebec is now experiencing the highest suicide rate, highest abortion rate and the lowest birth rate in Canada, as well as one of the lowest marriage rates (30%). Quebec is a dying society - its dreams of maintaining its language and culture can no longer be regarded as realistic. Bill 84 is simply the formal signing of a death warrant for Quebec society, because the Bill threatens the existence of traditional families, weakens society, goes against the fundamental law of the land and contradicts thousands of years of common wisdom, all for the sake of special interest lobbyists.

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