Elgin MP Gar Knutson says he will vote in favor of two controversial measures to protect homosexuals.
Justice Minister Allan Rock confirmed Thursday the federal government will introduce legislation before year's end to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The announcement came just as hearings began into legislation which would increase the penalty of hate crimes including crime targetting homosexuals.
Mr. Knutson said Friday the Liberal government's agenda has been opposed in the Elgin-Norfolk riding by people he identified as religious fundamentalists.
But he said prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is designed to promote tolerance in Canada's pluralistic society.
"That is one of the fundamentals of a peaceful and orderly society."
And he said the government's hate-crime legislation only standardizes current practice in many courts across the country.
Mr. Knutson was a substitute member of the Commons justice committee on Thursday when Mr. Rock defended Bill C-41, saying it no more encourages homosexuality than also including religion in the legislature encourages people to become Catholics.
Ironically, one of the most vocal opponents of the legislation, Liberal backbencher Roseanne Stoke, says such protection of gay and lesbian people is offensive to her because of her staunch Catholicism.
Mr. Knutson is also a Catholic, but says he can support the government agenda because the church permits such a disparity of views.
