UPDATE: 6 Dec 2006 - Steffi backs off on SSM whip
Mr. Dion does not support reopening the divisive debate, but he worried that imposing party discipline would hand the Conservatives more leverage on the issue. It's likely he is also trying to avoid conflict in his first week on the job.His first about-face... I'm guessin' the first of many.
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Watch the vote on same-sex marriage this week in the Commons. One Party will let it's members vote their conscience.
Another will not.
It's an important difference between the two.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said he will not force his cabinet to vote one way or another.So much for democratic rule.
When then-prime minister Paul Martin faced the issue in June 2005, he whipped his ministers and parliamentary secretaries on the issue, resulting in the resignation of Joe Comuzzi from the cabinet.
Dion's indication that the caucus will have to toe the line is no contrast to anything said by the other seven contenders for the Liberal party crown during the leadership convention which ended Saturday with Dion's come-from-behind victory.
Who's scary now?
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