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January 15, 2006
Zzzzzz
But the Conservative leader, trying to woo Quebec voters [in Huntsville, for some reason –ed.], arranged his own misstep yesterday when he delivered his stump speech here entirely in English — in a riding with a small francophone population — and then ducked personal comment on whether gay couples should adopt children.
Harper, who often speaks in both French and English, explained later that he chose English because Parry Sound-Muskoka is predominately anglophone. Yet, in practice, he typically speaks a few words of English whenever he's in francophone ridings.
Harper can only hope his "missteps" between now and the 23rd are similarly insubsantial.
The "ducking" of the gay adoption issue is moderately interesting, but Harper's response was just right for this point of the campaign:
"If someone is a legal guardian of a child, they would be entitled to the [child care] allowance," he said.
But the Conservative leader, ever careful to keep his party out of damaging social debates during this campaign, refused to endorse personally the idea of adoptions by gay couples.
Sidestepping the question from reporters after his Huntsville speech, Harper said, "That is a matter in provincial jurisdiction and, fortunately, one that the federal government doesn't have to get involved in."
Exactly. If I'd been him I would have been tempted to point out that gay adoptions are already permitted, at least theoretically, in seven of our ten provinces (the westernmost one prohibiting them being New Brunswick), but I suppose there's no point angrying up the blood.
Posted by Chris Selley at January 15, 2006 03:54 PM
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Comments
There are six provinces east of New Brunswick?
Posted by: JKelly at January 15, 2006 08:39 PM
Curses! Thanks, Nestruck.
Posted by: Chris Selley at January 15, 2006 09:49 PM
I love the adjective: "sidestepping questions from reporters..." If I was Harper I don't think I could have restrained the response "Are you aware that adoption is a Provincial responsibility? Are you asking whether I would have the Federal government stomp all over another area of provincial responsibility? Have you even read our platform? Could you ask M Charest, Mr McGuinty, and Mr Campbell for their opinion?"
Posted by: dcardno at January 15, 2006 11:46 PM