News Release

November 28, 2003

MP Larry Spencer should resign from Parliament       

Montreal —Larry Spencer, the Canadian Alliance MP for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, should resign from Parliament following his comments about the gay community, according to Ed Cashman, the Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada for the National Capital Region. Mr. Cashman is currently co-chairing a union conference in Montreal bringing together Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender members of the PSAC.

Mr. Spencer said in a newspaper interview that he would vote in favour of a legislation that would criminalize homosexuality and that there was a deliberate infiltration of homosexuality in North America 's courts, schools, religious communities and the entertainment industry. He also said homosexuals can transform themselves into heterosexuals.

“Mr. Spencer's words of hatred and bigotry towards this community are a disgrace, particularly as an official elected to represent a diverse community,” Cashman said. “The people of this country are generally tolerant and open-minded and there is no room for such a hateful point of view.”

Cashman believes that Spencer's apologies are nothing but hollow words and that he should do the honourable thing and resign his seat.

Another PSAC Vice-President and co-chair of the Conference, Jean-François DesLauriers, believes the people of Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre deserve better. “Spencer demonstrated very clearly that he is out of touch with public opinion, especially since recent polls have indicated that there is strong support for GBLT issues.”

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is holding its PRIDE Conference in Montreal from November 27 to 30, 2003 providing its Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender members with an open forum to discuss issues related to their rights in the workplace, the union and society as a whole.

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For information:   Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications
                             (514) 878-4049  

61-281103