Angry in the Great White North

In two recent posts, I've idly speculated that Justice Minister Irwin Cotler is probably not involved in the negotiations surrounding bill C-38, the bill that would alter the definition of marriage to include same-sex unions. His single-mindedness on this issue, at least on record, made me think he would not be a helpful presence in a room with people who don't see marriage as a question of rights, who don't believe Cotler's promises (now discredited) to protect religious groups, and who frankly think that this is a bad idea no matter which way you look at it.

From June 9: "Perhaps Irwin Cotler should spend more time listening to the echoes reverberating from his boss. Clearly Cotler's opinions are not 'resonating.'"

From June 14: "First, I think we can assume that Irwin Cotler is not in on those meetings. His presence would not be helpful."

Now a news report from yesterday:

[Former Liberal MP Pat O'Brien] said he and several Liberal MPs were negotiating with the government to delay the same-sex bill until the fall in exchange for their votes Tuesday. He refused to name any of them.

O'Brien said he was holding talks with senior Liberal MPs, but Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said he was unaware of any such negotiations.

Either Cotler is genuinely unaware, in which case he's learning it for the first time via the media, or he is aware that people are talking about his bill without him in the room, and he's trying to save face by denying any knowledge of these meetings.

In either case, Irwin Cotler is looking foolish.

On April 21, he spoke for twenty minutes in the House of Commons in defense of C-38, and on why the arguments against passage were wrong.

And for all that political theatre, he is not even in the room when some independent ex-Liberal and other "senior" Liberals wheel and deal on when to bring this bill forward. This is his bill. He's defended it vigourously. He told the Archbishop of Toronto to go pound sand when the Archbishop wrote to ask only for a delay.

When exactly is it clear that a minister no longer has the confidence of the Prime Minister and of his cabinet colleagues? If it is clear, should not the minister offer his resignation, or is the quality of our MPs such that they have to be dragged out kicking and screaming?

Irwin Cotler says this bill is about rights and nothing else. He says it has been studied to death. He says that the protections for religious institutions aren't going to get any better than they are right now. He says he wants this bill passed before the summer recess.

But despite that, it appears by all accounts that more study will happen, the bill will be delayed, and more tinkering will happen in an attempt to further shield religious institutions from court challenges and lawsuits. And Cotler is not even being invited into the room to be told to his face that this is happening.

Do yourself a favour, Mr. Cotler, and offer your resignation.