Tories propose budget deal
By ALEXANDER PANETTA


OTTAWA (CP) - The Conservatives have offered to allow speedy passage of a $4.6-billion budget bill if the government delays its same-sex marriage legislation.

No deal, says the government. The Tories are willing to curb their opposition to an NDP-inspired budget amendment, House Leader Jay Hill said Wednesday. But there was a catch: they don't want to see a vote on the same-sex marriage bill until fall.

"There's been some negotiations," Hill said. "If we were to get a delay of C-38 (the marriage bill) until the fall and perhaps some other concession, we'd be happy."

In exchange, he said the Tories would avoid a "full-court press" on the budget bill, meaning they wouldn't filibuster the legislation.

Forget it, said Scott Reid, a spokesman for the Prime minister's Office.

"There is no deal and there will be no deal between the government and the Conservatives to delay the civil marriage legislation until the fall. Period.

"We can't guarantee that bill C-38 will pass this session if the Conservatives are determined to obstruct and filibuster both it and the budget bill.

"But we can guarantee that we will play no part in compromising one bill for another. If this is the path (Tory leader) Stephen Harper selects, we will let him explain to Canadians why affordable housing, environmental protection and aid for the world's poorest should be hostage to his unwillingness to allow a free vote on civil marriage take place."

The Tories have threatened to put up 90 speakers to oppose and delay the budget bill, said sources in another opposition party.

Such a tactic would force the Liberals to make a politically sensitive decision: suspend debate, extend the Commons session into the summer, or delay a budget vote until fall.

The Commons is scheduled to rise for its summer break next week and resume sitting in September.

"(One) primary concern of ours is that we get out of the spring session with C-38 not progressing further," Hill said.

"If we can get that, it'll be worth our while to see (the budget bill) C-48 go. Because eventually they're going to get C-48 anyway."

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Paul Martin seemed to promise the Commons would not rise for the summer until the same-sex bill had passed.

A gay-rights activist reacted to news of a possible Tory-Liberal deal with a colorful protest method.

Alex Munter arrived on Parliament Hill carrying a plastic spinal cord and pelvis, urging Martin to show some backbone.

"We're asking the prime minister to show leadership and determination," said Munter, national co-ordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage.

"I'm here today to call on the government not to cave in to Conservative blackmail and trade away an important piece of human-rights legislation."

News of a possible arrangement came after the Tories protested vigorously against the $4.6-billion budget deal with the NDP.

In return for their 19 votes, the NDP secured billions for housing, the environment, foreign aid and education.

Hill had a snappy reply when asked how Canadians might react to news that his party's opposition to same-sex marriage trumps its opposition to $4.6 billion in extra spending.

"This isn't about what Canadians are concerned about. The reality is it's about trying to make Parliament work," he said.

A Conservative spokesman said his party continues to oppose the NDP budget deal and will vote against it.

He said any deal with the Liberals would only affect the timing - not the result - of the vote.

"We're voting against C-48, no matter what," said Tory spokesman Dimitri Soudas.

"We are playing fetch with the Grits and they are running."

The prospect of a delay in the marriage bill pleased Liberal opponents of same-sex weddings.

The bill appears destined to pass, so why rush it through before summer, asked Ontario MP Paul Szabo.

"I want to see the bill dealt with in a manner that no one can say it was rammed through," he said.

"We know you need about 14 members of Parliament to change their vote, to change the result on C-38.

"I'm not sure whether or not that's possible. I guess anything is possible but it's not likely."

Oh brother....will it EVER end?! I knew we Canadians jumped on the anti-gay bandwagon a long time ago but this is low. *sigh* ("If you let me get my way I'll give you a cookie" )

The Conservatives are in some trouble, considering that they've called a meeting to consider how to make Harper more appealing to the public -- the fact that they have to do this in light of the recent Liberal scandal is telling.