Jason Kenney, the Canadian Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, blocked references to LGBTTI rights in a new study guide for immigrants released last November. Kenney is known for opposing same-sex marriage when it is debated in Parliament.
Recently, news of Kenney's action has become public. Documents reveal that Kenney omitted references to Canada’s decriminalization of homosexual sex and recognition of same-sex marriage rights, despite advice from his senior department officials. Earlier drafts of the guide contained these references. Visit the Canadian Union of Public Employee's website to sign an online petition against these actions.
Let's all tell Jason Kenney that Canadians strongly believe in the importance of the fundamental freedoms and rights outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The message to Kenney is as follows:
"I am writing to condemn your decision to remove all references to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans rights from Canada’s new guide for immigrants released last November.
The booklet provides immigrants applying for Canadian citizenship with information about Canada and why our country is a great place to live and work for everyone, especially members of the LGBTTI community.
As a representative of our federal government, you have a responsibility to uphold the rights of all Canadians as guaranteed under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter specifically mentions freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
I demand that all references to these rights be put back into the guide and further that your department proudly promote the importance of these rights to citizenship applicants."
FLIF
1 comment:
thanks for sharing the link to this petition. I love that the word verification I had to complete in order to post this comment was 'faccu' !
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