Constituency Referendum #5: Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act (2005 Spring)
Spring 2005
News release from Scott Reid announcing Bill C-38 riding referendum
News release from Scott Reid on the results of the Bill C-38 riding referendum
News release from Scott Reid on his 2006 vote in favour of traditional marriage
On June 28, 2005, the House of Commons voted on Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act, which legalized same-sex marriages by defining marriage as “the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others”.
Mr. Reid voted against Bill C-38 at second reading on his own accord, because he believed the country would be better served if the government started from scratch with a new bill that provided stronger protections for the rights of religious organizations.
Mr. Reid sent a mailer to each household in his riding, asking whether he should vote for Bill C-38 at Third Reading.
In Vote No. 156, available in the House of Commons’ Journals of Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Mr. Reid voted against Bill C-38, as instructed to do by a majority of his constituents who responded to his riding referendum mailer by the time of the vote. The bill was adopted by a vote of 158 for and 133 against.
In Vote No. 94, available in the House of Commons’ Journals of Thursday December 7, 2006, Mr. Reid voted in favour of a Conservative Government motion (Government Business No. 12) stating, “That this House call on the government to introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage without affecting civil unions and while respecting existing same-sex marriages”, on the basis of the 2005 riding referendum result. The motion was defeated by a vote of 123 for and 175 against.
Posted in: Constituency Referenda