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Canadian Tourism Minister Canned- $400,000 to Gay Pride Parade

by albertacowpoke | July 11, 2009 at 02:21 pm

238 views | 52 Recommendations | 13 comments

Monte Solberg, a former Conservative Canadian Member of Parliament, who was first elected as a Reform Party MP in 1993, has spoken out on behalf of Tourism Minister Diane Ablonczy.

Ablonczy has been officially stripped of all responsibility for disbursing a $100 Million tourism stimulus. Her grant, on June 15th, to the gay right parade in Toronto of $400,000 prompted a backlash of Conservative Party Supporters.

In an Internet journal, Monte Solberg wrote that the gay issue is a complete loser for the Conservative Party of Canada. Some moderate Conservatives want to put forwad a moderate face on gay issues, especially in Ontario and Quebec. This is opposed by social conservatives.

Sources say that this issue really came to a head when a picture appeared with Ablonczy under a rainbow banner which read "you belong".

Former Harper cabinet member and veteran Conservative Monte Solberg is riding to the defence of federal Tourism Minister Diane Ablonczy, saying she is being unfairly “hung out to dry” for giving $400,000 in stimulus cash to a gay pride event in Toronto.

Ms. Ablonczy was stripped of responsibility for disbursing a $100-million tourism stimulus fund after her June 15 grant for Toronto's gay pride week prompted a backlash from Conservative Party supporters.

Mr. Solberg, a former Tory MP first elected as a Reformer in 1993 along with Ms. Ablonczy, warned in a posting on his Internet journal that an internal fight over gay issues is a “complete loser for the party.” The Conservatives are trying to present a moderate image on social issues in Ontario and Quebec, where they need more seats in their continuing quest for a majority government.

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albertacowpoke

at 14:59 on July 11th, 2009

Most of the important decisions on this issue have been settled in Canada. For instance same sex marriage was sent to the Supreme Court for an opinion and the ruled in favour of it. Gays have been permitted into the military since the early to mid 90s.

I suppose as in any country, there will always be those that can't accept the reality of it. The Conservative Party has some members that are social conservatives, similar to those in your Christian right. These would be the ones behind absolving Ms Ablonczy's of all responsibilities in dispersing stimulus funds.

Granted I only know what Mr. Solberg stated and I can't affirm that this was the reason for her being treated that way. But..... where there is smoke there is fire.

Amy Judd

at 15:14 on July 11th, 2009

Seems to me like she's a scapegoat...

politisite

at 14:39 on July 11th, 2009

Again, thanks for another article helping me understand the politics in Canada.

Paschen

at 18:27 on July 11th, 2009

Good post. I would not have spend $100 million on tourism stimulus though my self nor $400,000 on a parade regardless whose parade it is.

elvisjj

at 18:43 on July 11th, 2009

Well we know this is an issue that isn't going to go away. Whether we support Gay rights or not, this is a debate that will linger on and each of us have an opinion including me.

158

at 14:51 on July 11th, 2009

Good report

Is the gay issue as devisive in Canada as it is in the US

albertacowpoke

at 14:51 on July 11th, 2009

You're very welcome politisite. There are similar issues on either side of our border. It amazes me though that this would be an issue since the same sex marriage issue has been long settled here.

albertacowpoke

at 18:30 on July 11th, 2009

Unfortunately, we are not mice that can lurk and listen to what is going on behind closed doors Paschen. I know Stolberg and I believe it when he says that Ablonczy got the shaft.

marianmo

at 23:06 on July 11th, 2009

why is there a need or perceived need, by social conservatives to "rain" on anyones parade ? The last I heard all were equal under the Canadian Constitution. Perhaps the Conservatives feel that they have more rights than others in Canada....I applaud the minister for releasing funds to worthy organizations no matter if the far right might object. We need more politicians to do the CORRECT thing in Canada, not the RIGHT thing. Thank you acp for bringing this important issue to Nowpublic

158

at 15:11 on July 11th, 2009

Thanks for that.

albertacowpoke

at 15:17 on July 11th, 2009

There might be a history here Amy. Although she was a longtime party stalwart along with Deborah Gray, she was not chosen for Harper's first Cabinet. She is very intelligent and it seemed odd that she was bypassed then, when Ambrose was made Environment Minister. Go figure.

albertacowpoke

at 18:20 on July 11th, 2009

Luiz, the Conservative party in Canada was formed from two factions, those that were progressive and social conservatives. So many of them represent the mainstream of the country. Unfortunately every country has their far left and far right loonies.