With elections happening just around the corner, we feel that the Calgary gay community in needs to know where each one of the candidates in their riding stands in regards to some issues that concern us as gay citizens. GayCalgary.com Magazine decided to ask each candidate 3 simple questions - we could have asked more, but knowing how busy their schedules can be, we felt we should just stick to the main issues. All answers you see are the unedited responses that we received from the candidates. Those that did not respond to the questions are also listed. We hope this will help your decision of who to vote for in the upcoming federal elections.

The following questions were asked

Question 1: Do you support or favour the idea of equal marriage, which would allow gay and lesbian couples to be legally married in Canada?

Question 2: Do you support or favour the addition of gay and lesbian protection under the Federal Criminal Code dealing with genocide and incitement to hatred, in light of the recent passing of Bill C-250?

Question 3: If elected, would you support or participate in Gay Pride week in Calgary?

Calgary NorthEast:

Conservative Party: Art Hanger - had responded to us by phone saying that he would not respond to any of our questions.

Green Party: Morgan DuFord

1) Yes, I do. I have heard the arguments against allowing it, and I do not see any sense of logic in them. My life has been so deeply touched over the years by the wonderful friendships with gay and lesbian friends both past and present that to me it is unfathomable that marriage rights have ever been denied them, or that they continue to be. To me, the sacredness of marriage lies in the bonds of love that unite those within it. I truly believe that marriage is not a union of genders but rather of people. And so yes, to reiterate, I would support the equal marriage for gay and lesbian friends.

2) This is a slightly touchy item for me as it has the possibility to infringe upon free speech and freedom of religious views. On the other hand, I truly believe that no matter what ‘descriptor’ -- and I use this for lack of a better word -- is applied to a person, no person deserves to live their life in fear. As such, I do favour the addition of gay and lesbian protection under the Federal Criminal Code. However, I will admit that I would only favour additions that maintained the freedom of speech and religious views. As a brief example to clarify, I feel that the right to say I do not agree with, or support, people who are homosexual, bisexual or transgendered, should be supported. But the right to directly or indirectly say we must hurt, kill, harass, or otherwise harm people who are homosexual, bisexual or transgendered -- or for that matter any other descriptor that can be applied to a person or groups of people -- that I could not support.

3) Yes, I would participate in whatever capacity the organizers felt most appropriate or desired.

Liberal Party: Dale Muti did not respond.

New Democratic Party: Giorgio Cattabeni (and Daria Fox)

1) Canada shouldn’t leave lesbian and gay families behind, and the NDP was fighting for equality long before courts started to agree.

The NDP will:

- Recognize the equality of loving adult partnerships by extending civil marriage equality to same-sex couples, while respecting each religion’s right to determine its own definition of marriage.

- Abandon Paul Martin ’s appeal of the court decision extending retroactive Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits for same-sex couples.

- Amend the Canada Human Rights Act to ensure that no one can be discriminated against because of gender identity.

I’m proud to say the NDP was the only party in Parliament to vote unanimously for same-sex marriage in 2003, and I’m proud the NDP included equal civil marriage rights in our platform in the last election, long before the courts ruled.

The NDP has adopted resolutions at our national conventions supporting gay and lesbian marriage. Svend Robinson has fought in Parliament, including a Private Member’s Bill, to extend same sex marriage rights and we need more NDP MPs in Parliament to continue to press for full equality.

2) New Democrat MP Svend Robinson worked long and hard to ensure gays and lesbians received protection. This Bill is the culmunation of his work and we in the NDP are proud to see it become law. We are also working to a mend the Canada Human Rights Act to ensure that no one can be discriminated against because of gender identity.

3) We have participated in Gay Pride Week, the Parade and Street Festival for the last number of years. All NDP Candidates in Calgary will be in the parade along with many other NDP members. Look for our booth at the festival.

Please note: Canada’s NDP actively seeks openly lesbian and gay candidates. The NDP is clear in its support on lesbian and gay issues and has been a consistent leader in pushing for a wide range of equality issues.

Conservative Party: Jim Prentice did not respond.

Green Party: Mark MacGillivray (and Darcy Kraus)

1) I do, simply because it recognizes the fact that they exist. Gays exist. Lesbians exist. They are real people. One of the key principles of all Green Parties around the world is ‘Respect for Diversity.’ We recognize and respect the diversity of relationships between consenting adults.

2) My understanding of this is limited; but I believe that there are sufficient punishment options under the current Criminal Code to prevent genocide and incitement to hatred.

3) Absolutely. I have attended the Gay Pride parade for a number of years. The main reason for this is that it is a lot of fun, in addition to communicating an imporant message concerning the issues of non-traditional lifestyles.

The Gay Pride parade is an opportunity for people to abandon their misconceptions concerning the people that live non-traditional lifestyles and see them as men and women having a good time and wanting nothing else than to be happy and accepted.

Liberal Party: Cathy McClusky did not respond.

New Democratic Party: John Chan did not respond.

Conservative Party: Diane Ablonczy did not respond.

Green Party: Richard Larson did not respond.

Liberal Party: Ted Haney

1) I fully support honouring gay and lesbian relationships within Canadian law. I strongly believe that partners’ rights and responsbilities should be enshrined and protected. I strongly support civil unions in Canada for the gay community.

2) Yes.

3) I would look forward to participating in this meaningful and enjoyable series of events.

Conservative Party: Deepak Obhrai did not respond.

Green Party:

1) The Green Party of Canada honours the diversity of life on our planet. Everyone and every living thing has a right to exist.

2) The Green Party of Canada supports social justice. Without justice there can be no liberty, no stability and no lasting progress.

3) The Green Party of Canada supports personal choice and personal responsibility. We are not here to dictate to dictate others choices.

1) We at the James Maxim campaign fully support the freedom on individuals to choose the lifestyle that they wish as long as that lifestyle reflects a free, democratic and just society.

2) We respect the law of the land and do not feel that ANYONE should be exposed to hatred based on issues of race, gender or any other issues that may serve to expose them to prejudice.

3) James Maxim would have no trouble supporting Gay Pride week or being visible in his support.

1) Yes - I have no problem with this.

2) Absolutely - let’s have no more bath-house raids!

3) I will be out on Sunday noon.

Conservative Party: Rob Anders did not respond.

Green Party: Danielle Roberts

1) I do support gay and lesbian marriages as I whole heartedly believe in free speech and choice.

2) (No answer given)

3) I would support and participate in the Gay Pride week in Calgary and you can find the Green Party of Canada Calgary candidates taking part in the Gay Pride Parade this Sunday.

Liberal Party: Justin Thompson did not respond.

New Democratic Party: Tim Patterson

1) I fully support those gay and lesbian couples that wish to marry as well as advocating for those couples that do not wish to marry.

2) I will absolutely support Bill-250; gay and lesbians are people that should have full and equal rights as any other Canadian has.

3) When elected I would be honored to participate in Gay Pride week.

1) I am in favour of retaining the traditional common law definition of marriage as re-affirmed by the House of Commons in 1999 as a union between a man and a woman. I believe that marriage is by its nature a relationship predicated on the complimentarity of the sexes, as it has been understood in virtually every civilization throughout recorded history. I therefore do not believe that continued legal recognition of the uniquely heterosexual nature of marriage constitutes unjust discrimination.

2) Bill C-250 did not specifically add "gay and lesbian protection" to sections 319 and 320 of the Criminal Code, but rather added "sexual orientation" (without definition) to the enumerated grounds in these sections. I voted against Bill C-250 on the grounds that it could unreasonably jeopardize fundamental freedoms of expression and religion. I did not come to this position automatically, as I strongly oppose incitement to hatred on any grounds, including hatred or violent expression directed at people because of their sexual identity. I believe that such incitement can more effectively be dealt with through social censure rather than criminal sanctions that could impair the expression of legitimate moral or religious convictions in the public square.

3) No, I would not participate on the liberal grounds that sexuality should be a private matter free of state sanction, and therefore should not be politicized.

Green Party: George Read did not respond.

Liberal Party: Jim Tanner did not respond.

New Democratic Party: Brian Pincott

1) I am completely in favour of equal marriage.

2) I believe there needs to be protection under the Criminal Code. Attacks upon gays, lesbians and transgendereds must be considered as hate crimes.

3) I will support and participate in Gay Pride week. I will be participating in the parade this year.

Green Party: Phillip Leisemer

1) I am strongly in favour of the idea of equal marriage. The person you fall in love with is the person you should marry, regardless of sex. Gay and Lesbian marriages should have all the rights and protections enjoyed by hetero-sexual couples.

2) All people must be protected against hate crimes. Gay and Lesbian men and women have had to fight hatred much too long and it must be stopped.

3) I will certainly participate in Gay Pride week when elected. I volunteered at a booth during last years parade, I will ride in the parade this year, and I would support it again next year even if I am not elected.

1) I openly support gay marriage and believe that the legislation before the Supreme Court of Canada is appropriate.

2) My answer to this question is an unequivocal yes.

3) I have already participated in the Gay Pride Parade and am scheduled to do so again this year. In addition, I entered a team of sixty people in the AIDS Calgary walk last September.

1) As a long-time activist for gay and lesbian rights in Alberta/Canada, I fully support the idea of equal marriage. Only by fully integrating gays and lesbians into the institutions guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, can all people feel this is a just society.

2) Bill C-250 has been a major step forward for gays and lesbians since it passed in the last sitting of Parliament. But to further equality, the inclusion in the criminal code is essential. I would fully support any furthering of rights for gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgender persons.

3) I would be honoured to participate in Pride Week in Calgary. I feel that all levels of government should participate.

Conservative Party: Stephen Harper did not respond.

Green Party: Darcy Kraus (and Mark MacGillivray)

1) I do, simply because it recognizes the fact that they exist. Gays exist. Lesbians exist. They are real people. One of the key principles of all Green Parties around the world is ‘Respect for Diversity.’ We recognize and respect the diversity of relationships between consenting adults.

2) My understanding of this is limited; but I believe that there are sufficient punishment options under the current Criminal Code to prevent genocide and incitement to hatred.

3) Absolutely. I have attended the Gay Pride parade for a number of years. The main reason for this is that it is a lot of fun, in addition to communicating an imporant message concerning the issues of non-traditional lifestyles.

The Gay Pride parade is an opportunity for people to abandon their misconceptions concerning the people that live non-traditional lifestyles and see them as men and women having a good time and wanting nothing else than to be happy and accepted.

1, 2, 3) To be brief, the answers are yes, yes and yes. I believe peoples’ personel lives are not the realm of government unless they result in harm to others. All citizens deserve respect regardless of their gender, religion, race and sexual orientation.

1) Canada shouldn’t leave lesbian and gay families behind, and the NDP was fighting for equality long before courts started to agree.

The NDP will:

- Recognize the equality of loving adult partnerships by extending civil marriage equality to same-sex couples, while respecting each religion’s right to determine its own definition of marriage.

- Abandon Paul Martin ’s appeal of the court decision extending retroactive Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits for same-sex couples.

- Amend the Canada Human Rights Act to ensure that no one can be discriminated against because of gender identity.

I’m proud to say the NDP was the only party in Parliament to vote unanimously for same-sex marriage in 2003, and I’m proud the NDP included equal civil marriage rights in our platform in the last election, long before the courts ruled.

The NDP has adopted resolutions at our national conventions supporting gay and lesbian marriage. Svend Robinson has fought in Parliament, including a Private Member’s Bill, to extend same sex marriage rights and we need more NDP MPs in Parliament to continue to press for full equality.

2) New Democrat MP Svend Robinson worked long and hard to ensure gays and lesbians received protection. This Bill is the culmunation of his work and we in the NDP are proud to see it become law. We are also working to a mend the Canada Human Rights Act to ensure that no one can be discriminated against because of gender identity.

3) We have participated in Gay Pride Week, the Parade and Street Festival for the last number of years. All NDP Candidates in Calgary will be in the parade along with many other NDP members. Look for our booth at the festival.

Please note: Canada’s NDP actively seeks openly lesbian and gay candidates. The NDP is clear in its support on lesbian and gay issues and has been a consistent leader in pushing for a wide range of equality issues.

The NDP has adopted resolutions at our national conventions supporting gay and lesbian marriage. Svend Robinson has fought in Parliament, including a Private Member’s Bill, to extend same sex marriage rights and we need more NDP MPs in Parliament to continue to press for full equality.

2) New Democrat MP Svend Robinson worked long and hard to ensure gays and lesbians received protection. This Bill is the culmunation of his work and we in the NDP are proud to see it become law. We are also working to a mend the Canada Human Rights Act to ensure that no one can be discriminated against because of gender identity.

3) We have participated in Gay Pride Week, the Parade and Street Festival for the last number of years. All NDP Candidates in Calgary will be in the parade along with many other NDP members. Look for our booth at the festival.

Please note: Canada’s NDP actively seeks openly lesbian and gay candidates. The NDP is clear in its support on lesbian and gay issues and has been a consistent leader in pushing for a wide range of equality issues.

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