Reform Party opposes gay rights amendment

Manning says homosexuality destructive to society 


   Parliament's sole Reform Party MP, Deborah Grey, declined to
complete EGALE's questionnaire. In a letter to EGALE, Grey said, "I
can assure you I will make my positions known to my constituents at
election time." Grey has previously indicated she opposes a sexual
orientation amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act.
   Reform Party leader Preston Manning also declined to complete
the questionnaire.
   In a letter to EGALE, party policy manager Dimitri Pantazopoulos
said, "...we have decided that in the interest of maintaining some
distance between our party and public interest advocacy groups, we
will not respond to such questionnaires."
   Pantazopoulos did offer some general comments reflecting the
party's position on a sexual orientation amendment for the Canadian
Human Rights Act: 
   "It is our belief that all Canadians deserve to be protected
from discriminatory or violent acts. However, we believe it is the
acts of discrimination or violence which should be addressed
without conferring a status upon any group of individuals, and we
furthermore advocate increased protection of law abiding citizens
from criminal elements. In fact, we are the political party most
closely associated with the need for greater protection of citizens
through criminal justice reforms."
   Preston Manning has publicly stated his view that "homosexuality
is destructive to the individual, and in the long run, society."

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Preston Manning has publicly stated his view that "homosexuality is
destructive to the individual, and in the long run, society."