Protests erupt across Ontario against Liberal gvmt ‘anti-bullying’ Bill 13
Ontario general election, 1999 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)KITCHENER, Ontario, May 2, 2012 – Protests against the Ontario Liberal government’s controversial anti-bullying legislation erupted across the province over the weekend as more and more people become aware of the threat it poses to parental rights and religious freedom.
On Saturday, about 60 parents from a variety of faith traditions and ethnicities held a protest rally at the constituency office of MPP John Milloy (Kitchener-Centre), who serves as Dalton McGuinty’s Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Concerned citizens collect signatures against McGuinty's Bill 13 at a gathering of 60,000 Punjabs in Toronto.
Rally organizer Kim Galvao, head of Concerned Catholic Parents of Ontario (CCPO), said McGuinty’s Bill 13 is a “Trojan Horse piece of legislation which pretends to be about bullying in order to sneak a homosexual agenda into the classroom.”
“This proposed legislation by Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario government will subvert parental rights and freedom of religion. It will cause schools to teach children controversial sex ed theories that violate the religious and moral convictions of many parents about human sexuality,” said Mrs. Galvao.
About 16 people gathered with children for another protest in Toronto on Friday at the riding office of Eric Hoskins (Liberal, St. Paul’s). They gathered to deliver a petition from constituents demanding that Hoskins oppose Bill 13.
Also, during this Sunday’s Khalsa Day Celebration held at Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition grounds by Ontario’s Punjabi community—attended by a reported minimum 60,000 people—an announcement was made by religious leaders informing participants about the dangers of Bill 13 to their parental rights, and cultural, religious and ethnic traditions.
The leaders encouraged participants to sign a petition to be delivered to Ontario MPPs which states that the Punjabi citizens of Ontario object to the lack of consultation with them about the legislation, and that they believe the bill “will undermine parental rights and obligations by forcing all cultural, religious and ethnic groups in Ontario to allow their children to explore same sex attraction through schooling - even if this teaching conflicts with our beliefs or customs.”
“Our faith and culture teach us to be tolerant of others and we expect to be respected for our differences also,” the Punjabi petition states. “Bill 13 threatens basic freedoms in Canada & would set many children against their traditional parents.”
An organizer of the Punjabi petition told LifeSiteNews they gathered 500 signatures during the day. “People wanted to get a deep understanding of the Bill before they signed - this is important so that when they go to their MPPs they can discuss the issue without being shot down,” the organizer said.
Although MPP John Milloy was not himself present as they rallied in Kitchener, Mrs. Galvao read a statement that was videotaped and sent to the politician to encourage him to vote against the controversial bill.
“Milloy is said to be a regular, church-going Catholic, therefore the decision to vote against Bill 13 should be easy enough for him, although he has maintained support for this freedom-destroying legislation which is certain to confuse young children,” Mrs. Galvao said.
“I am alarmed to see a sexual agenda imposed on our schools by the Liberal government. ... As a mom I do not want my children taught that there are seven different genders. As a mom, I do no want my young children taught the disputed theory that a person’s gender is not connected to their physical anatomy,” Galvao said to the parents gathered at the rally.
She also encouraged Milloy to support Bill 14, an alternate anti-bullying bill written by former Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer.
“If you wish to vote in favour of genuine anti-bullying legislation, we urge you to support Progressive Conservative Bill 14. That bill, unlike Bill 13, does not have a sexual agenda,” Mrs. Galvao said.
“We hope that this protest will inspire other ordinary parents and Canadians to take action,” Mrs. Galvao told LifeSiteNews. “The biggest mistake we make is that we make excuses that we are too busy, and deceive ourselves and think that “my kids will not be affected” or we take the “Lets wait and see what happens attitude.”
“I want every parent, grandparent and youth to know what Bill 13 is all about. I want every person to educate themselves and take action because this both a moral and political issue.”
“Will you join me and take a stand and speak up?” Mrs. Galvao urged, “because together we are a powerful voice.”
At the Toronto protest outside Hoskins’ office, the politician reportedly stepped out to receive the petitions and was respectful towards the protesters.
“MPP’s know that one person taking time to do something likely represents at least 100 other voters who are also upset but just don’t bother to show up ... however they might show up on election day!” a rally participant told LifeSiteNews. “So in political math - just sixteen adults that showed up here equals potentially 1600 voters!”
LifeSiteNews has learned that many other protests against Bill 13 are planned for numerous constituency offices throughout the province in the near future and that the rallies will be announced as plans are finalized.
To express concerns over Bill 13, contact:
Premier Dalton McGuinty
dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
416-325-1941
dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
416-325-1941
Find contact info for your Member of Provincial Parliament.
Video from the rally outside MPP John Milloy’s Kitchener constituency office:
