Belinda Stronach, Paul Martin, and Catholic Liberals.

Ms. Stronach left the Conservatives because she could not stomach their "social" policies; as she is an avowed pro-abortionist and favours sodomite "marriage," these were obviously the policies she objected to in the Conservative Party, although Mr. Harper is comfortable with pro-abortionists.

Mr. Martin, the Catholic, who says he does not want to impose his beliefs on others, quickly took Ms. Stronach into his arms (figuratively), and immediately gave her an influential cabinet post where she could no doubt impose her views on others. What does this say about Mr. Martin's values?

At the same time we have to give a grudging admiration to Ms. Stronach. She is in no doubt which side she is on and did not let principles stand in her way. What can we really say about the position of the large number of Catholic Liberals not one of whom felt strongly enough about the "social" values of the Liberals--to cross to the Conservatives, and perhaps throw a wrench into the Liberal Party's steamrolling abortion, and sodomite "marriage," through Parliament. That would have been fun to see. But no--a great opportunity was missed, and we can roll up the map of Conservatism for the next thirty years, and watch a Prime Minister such as Martin triumph with a person like Stronach.

J. Dornan

Willowdale, ON

Editor: Events have overtaken this letter: MP Pat O'Brien left the party; MP Joe Comuzzi left the Cabinet and voted against the bill, as did 16 other Catholic Liberal MPs. But the Catholic MPs who supported the legislation numbered 37 outside Quebec and 20 inside that province. Something should be done about them.