Pro-life leader-designate of B.C. Tories explains opposition to gay anti-discrimination legislation
Image via WikipediaLong-time pro-life Member of Parliament John Cummins, now the leader-designate of British Columbia’s Conservative Party, sparked a media frenzy this week after insisting that those inclined to homosexuality be given the same rights as the rest of Canadians, and no more.
Cummins told a Victoria radio station Wednesday that he voted against the 1996 bill that added “sexual orientation” as a ground for discrimination to the Canada Human Rights Act because homosexuals are already protected from discrimination, just like all Canadians.
“People are already protected under the human rights code. In my view it was not necessary to add another category,” Cummins told CFAX radio. “They have the same rights under the Human Rights Act as you and I. Nobody is coming to me and saying whatever I do behind closed doors is somebody else’s business.”
“I’m not a scientist [but] some of the research tells me that there’s more of an indication that that’s a choice issue,” he added.
The “sexual orientation” clause has since been used to promote social acceptance of homosexual acts through the schools and opened the door to the bill that created same-sex “marriage” in 2005.
Cummins resigned in March as Conservative MP for Delta-Richmond East, where he served 18 years, to enter the race for the B.C. Conservative leadership. With no other candidates coming forward, he is expected to be named leader when the vote comes up May 28.
Cummins established himself as a strong pro-life and pro-family presence on Parliament Hill, showing a perfect voting record from Campaign Life Coalition. Notably, he went against party policy by signing CLC’s election questionnaire in 2008.
When questioned about his statements to CFAX at a rally Wednesday night, Cummins said, “I’m pro-life, I’m pro-traditional marriage, that’s my view. I’m not a scientist.”
“I’m not going to discuss that, they’re personal issues, private issues,” he added.
