The
billboard campaign begins, and the media are interested
·
From the Calgary Sun,
Wed., Feb. 9:
"Citizens
must have a say on whether same-sex marriage is legalized in Canada, says
senator-in-waiting Link Byfield. He made the comments yesterday in Calgary after
putting up a billboard calling for a referendum on the issue.
"The
sign, which faces west along 9 Ave. and 7 St. S.W., delivers the message 'Gay
Marriage? Let the people decide.'..."
Citizens Centre Chairman, Link Byfield, at an
outdoor
news conference in Calgary.
Photo credit: Calgary Sun
·
From the Calgary Herald,
Wed., Feb. 9:
"On
Tuesday, the Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy held a press conference
in Calgary under a newly erected billboard that reads 'Gay Marriage? Let the
people decide.'
"Link
Byfield, chairman of the organization, said changing something as fundamental as
marriage should be done only with a clear mandate from Canadians. His
organization will be paying for the billboards in cities across the country,
hoping to spur a national referendum on the issue..."
In addition, the unveiling was
carried on CTV news in Calgary and across Alberta on Canwest Global TV.
The Citizens Centre has
also reserved billboards in:
Toronto (westbound Gardiner Expressway just east of Dufferin) -- March 14
Edmonton (eastbound Stony Plain Road and 102 Street) -- February 28
Ottawa (southbound Bronson Ave. at Queensway) -- April 4
Vancouver -- site being changed, date and location uncertain.
In each city, we expect to get
more positive media interest, to stimulate public support, and to get Canadians
talking about the need for Parliament to consult the people directly on this
important national question.
It has already been reported
(National Post, Feb. 2) that 67% of Canadians think this issue should be decided
by referendum, rather than by a vote in Parliament.
Locations
needed for "portable billboards" in southwest Ontario
The
Citizens Centre has contracted with campaign supporter Eric Van Es of Beamsville,
near Hamilton, to deploy up to ten of his "portable billboards" (see
pictures below) around southwest Ontario, from Oshawa in the east to London in
the West.
Eric
can quickly place these sturdy, clever, attractive structures along busy urban
and rural thoroughfares on farmland, commercial property, church and private
school properties outside Toronto (which doesn't allow them). We want to
relocate them every few weeks through the rest of the winter and spring.
HELP
US FIND LOCATIONS for these signs between Oshawa and London. If you have one --
or can get someone else to help -- e-mail Gail at gail@citizenscentre.com,
or fax 780-481-9983.
It
will give the referendum campaign a huge boost when these signs start popping up
along the highways and byways of southern Ontario, where the fight over gay
marriage is hottest.
Keep
the e-mail list growing
With
little except word of mouth, the campaign has sent almost 25,000 e-mail messages
to Paul Martin. When you include carbon copies to the Supreme Court and other
national leaders and deputies, we'll soon pass one-quarter million e-mails.
If
you can think of others who might like to send the same "Let the people
decide" message you did from our Web site, go to www.MarriageReferendum.ca
and click on "Tell a Friend".
If
you want to receive daily news and commentary from around the country on this
issue, go here
(http://www.citizenscentre.com/subscribe.html) and subscribe to the
"Daily National News on the Marriage Issue". If you prefer, you can
check the latest clippings online here
(http://www.anticorruption.ca/forum/phpBB2/).
If
you can help us expand this campaign financially, you can donate securely
on-line here
(http://www.citizenscentre.com/support.html). We depend entirely upon
voluntary contributions to keep this going -- and growing. (Or send a
cheque to Citizens Centre, #203, 10441-178 Street, Edmonton, AB T5S 1R5.)
We
can win this fight
Political
leaders continue to insist that they do not want to put this issue to a direct
vote, even though two-thirds of Canadians want them to.
It's
a reality, however, that politicians respond to what media talk about, and media
talk about unusual things that are happening.
These
billboards are definitely unusual, and are definitely happening. The more of
them are, the more the media will pay attention.
Our
Ottawa billboard is situated so that MPs, political commentators, judges and PMO
bureaucrats have to pass it on their way to the airport.
Canada
is approaching a key moment of decision. How we as Canadians decide this very
important question will determine more than the meaning of marriage. It will
also determine whether we will rule ourselves democratically or surrender all
important decisions to political party leaders and the judges they appoint to
the courts.
Constitutional democracies always depend on checks and balances.
Parliamentarians have heard from the courts. They should now hear from the
Canadian people.
Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy
203, 10441 - 178 Street
Edmonton, AB T5S 1R5
1-866-666-6768
To contribute: http://www.citizenscentre.com/support.html