If there is one issue that my office has received an avalanche of mail on, it has been the debate about marriage. Since the legislation legalizing “gay marriage” has now passed the House of Commons, I though I’d give everyone a brief overview of how the debate went in the House.

The debate in the House of Commons on this issue was cut short by the government bringing in closure, essentially limits on who was and was not allowed to speak to the legislation. This was disappointing for two reasons:

First, MPs should be allowed to put their own views and the views of their constituents forth in the debate. All Canadians should have been allowed to have their representatives explain their vote on the matter.

Secondly, the debate between MPs was much wider and more in-depth than the media coverage allowed. The variety and depth of reasons to vote against the bill were considerable. Sociological, anthropological, and evolutionary reasons were invoked against the bill. Appeals were made to logic, natural law, and world history. All of these arguments revealed that the issue is more complex than is often suggested. The legislation profoundly impacts all Canadians.

So what will happen now, once the bill passes the Senate? Well, MPs opposed to the bill (including myself) will continue to work to preserve traditional marriage. If a Conservative government is elected, pro-marriage MPs will overturn the legislation and return traditional marriage. However, even if the legislation still stands, the country will still have to revisit this matter. This is because in the rush to push through the bill not all the details were thought through, so amendments will have to be made some day.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament. I welcome your feedback and suggestions. Write or call my offices.