Garth Turner: A Good Tory
At least there is one Conservative M.P. that deserves my full respect when it comes to the issue of Same-Sex Marriage here in Canada. He is the Member of Parliament for the electoral district of Halton, Ontario. His name is Garth Turner, and he’s a ‘Red Tory’. Though there are four other Conservative caucus members that support SSM, they are as followed: Jim Prentice, John Baird, James Moore, and Gerald Keddy. I am sure there are a few more in the ranks of the Conservative Party, however they are as not outspoken as these selective four.
He disagrees with his party on their stances on the issue of gay marriage and has been threatened multiple of times by the Christian Right in the Riding Association that he’ll be ejected from the Conservative’s candidacy in the rumoured fall election campaign. These are two memorable quotes from Canada.com’s article, Conservative MP facing possible challenge from anti-gay marriage candidate:
1. “Am I supposed to change my mind and all of a sudden hate homosexual people because I’m facing a challenge in my riding? Of course not, I’m not going to change.”2. “I’m still the member of Parliament, and I’m still going to do what I said I’m going to do. They’re not going to threaten me, they’re not going to intimidate me, they’re not going to scare me and my tail is not between my legs.”
In the first quote is why I appreciate this Conservative. He is no push-over. His refusal of the party’s guideline is astonishing. He’s foundation of belief in his political ideas should be encouraging to us all. He sticks to his word.
Even if turning against same sex marriage and gay rights would gain him more votes. He won’t because he’s right. People in this country have to understand that we are not a theocracy where the church/religion dictates social and economical equality.
Nor have they realized that our nation is based on fundamental values where every human being regardless of skin colour, gender, sexual orientation, age and et cetera are all equals. Canada is a nation where church and state are two separate entities. It was the right decision when the majority of parliamentary members voted in favour of C38 – Civil Marriage Act (Same-Sex Marriage Bill).
This also shows why it proves that our government is not overly influenced by Christian rights groups in the United States where a variety of social equality issues have been dismissed at the federal and state levels. A reason why I can say I am proud to be a Canadian. I heart the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Each time I quote it, a Conservative has a heart attack. God bless, Mr. Trudeau.
On to the second quote, Christian fundamentalists groups in the electoral district of Halton continuously harass Mr. Turner is the President of the Canada Christian College, Charles McVety. Mr. McVety said the following about my newfound hero, Garth:
“He has this disease called entitlement…where because he won a nomination meeting at one point in time, he’s now entitled to it, and if anyone even dare talk about challenging him, they have breached his entitlement.”
He is representing his constituents when he speaks in favour of support for same-sex marriage and yes, he is entitled to two things; to express his opinions, thought and the ability to choose who he associates with. He has another entitlement as the Member of Parliament, to overall to serve the interests of the entire constituency. Let’s look at the historical facts of the electoral district of Mr. Turners.
The riding has existed since Confederation and the majority of Members of Parliaments to represent it were members of Canada’s true party, the Liberals. Garth only one by over two thousand votes against incumbent Gary Carr.
If Garth Turner loses his candidacy for the next election, I do hope to see him cross the street and join where the real party is at. However, I do not know where Mr. Turner stands. So I don’t know if he’ll fit in comfortably.
