July 2003 News e¢ theother press © Federal Government to Propose Same-Sex Marriage Legislation Sara James News Editor The federal government announced June 17 that it won't appeal recent same-sex rulings in BC, Ontario, and Quebec. The rulings determined that the banning of same-sex marriages was not consti- tutional. Instead, Prime Minister Jean Chretien announced, the government will propose legislation that will legally recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. The PM said the legislation would protect the right of churches and religious organization to bless unions they have defined. Until recently, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon had indicated he would seek.to appeal the rulings through the Supreme Court of Canada. Pressure from within the Liberal cabinet, the provinces, and public has prompted Cauchon to rethink his original com- ments. Prime Minister Jean Chretien and the three Liberal leadership candidates, Sheila Copps, John Manley, and Paul Martin, along with the majority of the Liberal cabinet, all support legislation that would permit same-sex unions. There is divided support among Liberal backbenchers and Conservative MPs. Canadian Alliance MPs oppose any legislation that would permit same-sex marriages. In mid-June, a parliamentary justice committee voted in favour of seeking government acceptance of a ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal permitting the marriages. Since the vote, several gay couples have obtained marriage licences in Ontario, the only province to begin issuing licences to gay and lesbian couples. Some are choos- ing to wait for federal legislation before proceeding with a marriage ceremony, while others have taken the plunge and married. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein has vocally stated his opposition to same-sex unions and has said he will enact the notwithstanding clause. The clause would exempt Alberta from any court rulings that recognize same-sex marriages. Alberta’s stance has already resulted in a Human Rights complaint. The complaint, filed with the Alberta Human Rights Commission, was prompted after a gay couple were denied an application for a marriage licence. Additional complaints are expected if the province follows through with its threat of enacting the notwithstanding clause. Alberta is the only province against the proposed legisla- tion. The other nine provinces are in favour. The legislation must first face scrutiny from the Supreme Court of Canada. Then it would move to the House of Commons for a vote that the PM has stated would be a free-vote, enabling Liberal MPs with the power to vote any way they choose. The bill is expected to be drafted within a few short weeks. Chretien wants the issue to be dealt with swiftly, which means the bill could go before the House by early fall. “Write on the River’ a Success Barbara K. Adamski OP Contributor Last month’s Federation of BC Writers’ Conference, “Write on the River”, was a huge success according to Gavin Hainsworth and Wendy Tarasoff, co- chairs of the conference committee. The weekend-long event kicked off Friday night at the New Westminster Public Library with a reading by author Bill Richardson. Eighty-seven people attended this event, the majority of whom were from the local community. “The in-conjunction events were set up to reach out to the community—to champion literacy, ” says Tarasoff, who is pleased that so many non-members of the Federation partook. Later in the evening, Java Jazz Cafe hosted an evening of jazz and prose performances. The official welcome, emceed by local historian Archie Miller in period costume, was held Saturday morning at Douglas College, the main venue for the conference. Participants had their choice of nine workshops throughout the day on a variety of themes from “the care and feeding of your writers’ group” with the Burnaby Writers’ Society, to “genealogy research for writers” with Judith Argent. Douglas College instructors, Maureen Nicholson, Calvin Wharton, and David Zieroth teamed up with Event editor, Cathy Stonehouse for a panel discussion on writing courses at the college. The conference also provided an opportunity for writers to sell their books and for local businesses to promote their services at the Marketplace of the Arts, held in the Douglas College concourse. The 30-degree-plus temperature did not deter some participants from join- ing local historian and heritage conservation specialist, Jim Wolf, on a walk- ing tour of the historical sites of New Westminster, although the tour was cut short due to the heat. Following the sold-out banquet at the college was the launch of the Fed Anthology, featuring Susan Musgrave and Federation writers. Several local businesses and organizations, including the City of New Westminster, New Westminster Historical Society, New Westminster Arts and Culture Endowment Grant Committee, and the NewsLeader sponsored the event. At a recent New Westminster City Council Chambers meeting, the Federation of BC Writers presented the mayor and council with medals of appreciation for their support. Tarasoff credits the community for the success of this year’s conference. In addition to monetary support, there were contributions of gifts for confer- ence attendees and complementary promotion of the event. “We extended a hand out to the community; the community extended a hand back,” she says. Change to Douglas College Smoking Policy In consideration of others, smoking is only permitted outside in the following locations: New Westminster Campus Level O 0600 (away from Systems) Level Il West Concourse (Cafeteria) Level |V - 10 metres from Theatre Foyer entrance David Lam Campus South East Ramp In accordance with Workers Compensation Board and Douglas College Standards of Conduct, A 10.02.01/02, Douglas College Restricted Smoking Policy A 05.05.01 (under revision). A message from Facilities Services. i‘ \ Douglas College http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca «© Page 7