| LIBERALS NEED TO STOP ILLEGAL POLYGAMIST MARRIAGES: PC CRITIC MACLEOD |
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| Monday, 26 May 2008 19:00 |
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“Upold the Rule of Law and Gender Equality, Says MacLeod” (QUEEN’S PARK)- Tory MPP Lisa MacLeod blasted the McGuinty Liberals for not upholding Canadian marriage laws and demanded they reprimand offending clergy for performing illegal polygamist marriages in Ontario. In a May 27th article in the Toronto Star, the Imam of Salahuddin Islamic Centre in Scarborough stated "if the laws of the country conflict with Islamic law, if one goes against the other, then I am going to follow Islamic law, simple as that,” after acknowledging he has performed polygamist marriages. “By turning a blind eye on polygamy, the Liberals are not upholding the rule of law and they are compromising gender equality rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” said MacLeod. Polygamy is against Canada’s marriage laws and enforcement is a provincial responsibility. The Canadian Council of Muslim Women has questioned why officials are not doing enough to protect women in these situations. “What will it take for the Minister to put an end to McGuinty endorsed polygamy in Ontario and the fraud that is taking place against Ontario women and our public?,” blasted MacLeod. |