Same-sex debate gets U.S. infusion
Religious agencies finance opposition
By Elizabeth Thompson, with files from Kirsten Smith
NATIONAL POST canada.com from the Web February 7, 2005
OTTAWA -- Powerful U.S. religious groups are sending money and support to allies in Canada to fight same-sex marriage.
Patrick Korten, vice-president of communications for the Knights of Columbus head office in New Haven, Conn., said no limit has been set on the help his organization is prepared to offer.
"Whatever it takes," he said. "The family is too important."
Mr. Korten said the U.S. headquarters of the Catholic men's group paid $80,782 to print two million postcards being distributed in Catholic churches across Canada.
"It has been extremely enthusiastically received in Catholic parishes all over Canada.
As a matter of fact we may have to print some more -- there was a great deal of interest in it.
It offers a quick, simple but effective way for Catholics ... to make their feelings about the same-sex marriage bill known to their MPs."
Another opponent of same-sex marriage, Focus on the Family, is also sending support and services worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to its Canadian affiliate.
James Dobson, the charismatic founder of Focus on the Family who has been described as one of the most influential Christian figures in the United States, personally waded into the debate two weeks ago in a radio show taped in Colorado Springs, Colo., and transmitted as a paid broadcast to 130 stations in Canada.
"It is clear here in the United States that the American people do not want same-sex marriage.
I would hope that Canadians who also do not want same-sex marriage would be encouraged by what has happened down here."
Mr. Dobson also attacked Paul Martin for refusing Cabinet ministers a free vote.
"Your Prime Minister, Paul Martin, has recently done things to subvert the will of the people," he said.
Last spring, Focus on the Family Canada ran an ad campaign in newspapers praising the virtues of traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Derek Rogusky, vice-president of family policy for Focus on the Family Canada, said the group spent $800,000 on advertising last year -- well within the $1-million he said the group is allowed to spend on political activities and keep its charitable status.
Canadian registered charities can spend no more than 10% of their budgets on political activity, but the only time interest groups are restricted in what they can spend on lobbying is during elections and referendums.
Focus on the Family Canada is about to launch a new ad campaign but Mr. Rogusky said this one will likely cost less.
Focus on the Family Canada has also put a Marriage Action Kit on its Web site -- a sophisticated step-by-step guide to lobbying -- from form letters for MPs and letters to the editor to advice on how to present the case.
It has also sent a letter out to the 100,000 Canadian households on its mailing list.
Altogether, Focus on the Family U.S. has channelled $1.6-million in services to its Canadian affiliate between 2000 and 2003, the latest year for which financial reports are available.
Mr. Rogusky said Focus on the Family Canada is independent from its U.S. parent, with its own board of directors and financed by contributions from
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