"Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues"*

An activist who takes the time to read Hansard, bless his soul, has sent out a note about the upcoming vote on the same-sex marriage legislation, Bill C-38. It appears the House of Commons will vote on April 12. (It's the second reading only, all bills get three readings.) The Thursday debate in the House began:
Hon. Karen Redman (Kitchener Centre, Lib.): "Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Conversations have occurred among the parties and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

"That at any time, on or before April 11, when second reading of Bill C-38 is under consideration, when no member rises to speak on the amendment, or subamendment, all questions necessary to dispose of the said amendment to second reading of Bill C-38 be deemed put, a recorded division requested and deferred until the end of government orders on Tuesday, April 12."
The Deputy Speaker: "Does the House give unanimous consent for the whip to put the motion?"
Some hon. members: "Agreed."
The Deputy Speaker: "The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?"
Some hon. members: "Agreed."

The transcript is here.


*Said by pompous conservative journalist George F. Will, who also wrote: "Statecraft is soulcraft. Just as all education is moral education because learning conditions conduct, much legislation is moral legislation because it conditions the action and the thought of the nation in broad and important spheres of life."