October 21, 2003

Hon. Stephen Harper
Leader of the Opposition
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Harper:

We were interested to receive your letter and materials of October 1, 2003, addressed to Faith Community Leader, urging support of the traditional definition of marriage.

The Canadian Unitarian Council has been vocal in its support of Gay and Lesbian rights in general and specifically equal marriage rights.  We made a presentation to the Standing committee on Justice and Human Rights and have made numerous statements since then.

All Unitarian and Universalist ministers serving in Canada have publicly stated they are willing and ready to perform same-gender marriages. Many of our clergy have performed such marriages in both British Columbia and Ontario, often of couples who have had holy union ceremonies already.  Our ministers and lay chaplains tell us that these have been some of the most moving ceremonies they have ever performed.

We will continue to support the proposed legislation which explicitly guarantees the right of ministers not to perform services of which they do not approve.  Your proposal would deny our ministers the right to perform services of which they do approve, and thus reduce our religious freedom.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bowen, President, Board of Trustees

cc: All Unitarian and Universalist congregations in Canada