Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer goes on anti-gay marriage tirade in unearthed video
The Liberal Party is asking Andrew Scheer and his Conservative Party to end their apparent boycott of Pride events and prove that his views on gay marriage have evolved as an unearthed video from 2005 shows him opposing the Civil Marriage Act.
In the video, Scheer calls “homosexual unions” contradictory to the “inherent feature” of marriage, which he said was to procreate naturally.
“They may pledge to remain in a loving relationship for life,” Scheer said, then in his mid-twenties.
“They may have many of the collateral features of marriage, but they do not have its inherent feature, as they cannot commit to the natural procreation of children.”
To be a leader for all Canadians, the Conservative Party leader should now end his lifelong boycott of Pride events and explain whether he would still deny same-sex couples the right to marry, as he said in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/5WEyja6Ov5
— Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) August 22, 2019
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale tweeted the 52-second video, in which Scheer also compared gay marriages to dogs’ tails.
“How many legs would a dog have if you counted the tail as a leg?” Scheer asks. “The answer is just four. Just because you call a tail is called a leg does not make it a leg.”
Goodale is calling on Conservative leader to “explain whether he would still deny same-sex couples the right to marry, as he said in Parliament.”
“Scheer has been an MP for 5,533 days, but hasn’t found a single day to celebrate Pride, and thus defend every Canadian’s human rights,” Goodale tweeted, urging Scheer to attend Ottawa’s Pride parade.
Mr. Scheer has been an MP for 5,533 days, but hasn't found a single day to celebrate Pride, and thus defend EVERY Canadian's human rights. Where better to begin than this weekend at his very own hometown Pride in Ottawa?
— Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) August 22, 2019
Scheer and the Conservatives were notably absent from parades in Montreal and Vancouver this summer, which were attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party leader Elizabeth May. Former Conservative leader and prime minster Stephen Harper was also notably absent from Pride celebrations during his decade in power.
Conservatives in 2005 voted against legalizing gay marriage.
“If this bill passes, governments and individual Canadians will be forced to call a tail a leg, nothing more,” Scheer said, continuing the dogs’ legs metaphor.
As news broke of the resurfaced video, Canadians took to social media to express concern over the Conservative leader’s comments, including his insistence that marriage is for procreation.
... And argues that the fundamental reason for marriage is not mutual love and companionship, but « natural » procreation.
You heard that, ladies? Better get pregnant or your marriage is a bust! #cdnpoli #polcan https://t.co/TxZnFvOPxy— Stéphanie Chouinard (@DrSChouinard) August 22, 2019
What in the name of all that’s good did I just watch a young @AndrewScheer talking about? Dogs’ legs and tails? This man is not fit to be an MP, much less the leader of our diverse nation. #Canpoli
— suepeac 🌈 (@suepeac) August 22, 2019
This is a truly abhorrent speech by Scheer. Dog legs and tails?? Unbelievable! #cdnpoli
— #askIReza (@ishat_reza) August 22, 2019
A Conservative Party spokesperson said this was a “desperation tactic” on the part of Trudeau’s Liberals.
When the same-sex marriage vote took place a decade and a half ago, @AndrewScheer voted the way several Liberals did, including some who currently sit in the Liberal caucus and are running for re-election as Liberal candidates under Justin Trudeau. (1/3)
— Brock W. Harrison 🇨🇦 (@BrockWHarrison) August 22, 2019
Mr. Scheer supports same-sex marriage as defined in law and as Prime Minister will, of course, uphold it.
This is yet another desperation tactic from Trudeau on the eve of an election to distract from his record of failure and incompetence. (2/3)— Brock W. Harrison 🇨🇦 (@BrockWHarrison) August 22, 2019
Several high-profile Liberals - including Stephane Dion, Dalton McGuinty, Paul Martin, and Jean Chretien - opposed same-sex marriage more than a decade ago, as did Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Oh, and so did ... *checks Hansard* .... @RalphGoodale (3/3)— Brock W. Harrison 🇨🇦 (@BrockWHarrison) August 22, 2019
Scheer has yet to comment on the video directly.