The following Candidates send in responses verbatim to the letter of Premier Rodney MacDonald’s response with very few exceptions as noted.

Ron Baillie, Pictou West PC, copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Mary Ann McGrath, Halifax Clayton Park PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Ernie LeFage, Cumberland North PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Todd Morrison, Cape Breton North PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Scott Boyd, Cape Breton South PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Jim MacAlpine, Digby Annapolis PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Troy Myers, Dartmouth North PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Sheila Mckeand, Cole Harbour PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Richard Hurlburt, Yarmouth PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.

Steve Craig, Sackville Cobequid PC (Question doesn’t like the definition to #1, Generally agree #3)

Bill Black, Halifax Citadel PC For Questions 4 & 5, I would add that it would be much better if the federal law did not attempt to define the word “marriage”.  Other words could be used to describe relationships which create entitlement to government benefits.  Then there would be no risk of religious organizations being asked to participate in marriage outside of their faith tradition.
Barry Barnet, Hammonds Plain Upper Sackville PC, was qualified as a pro-life candidate in the last provincial election.
Gary Hines, Waverley  Fall River Beaverbank PC, was qualified as a pro-life candidate in the last provincial election.
Chris d’Entremont, Argyle PC was qualified as a pro-life candidate in the last provincial election.
Angus MacIsaac, Antigonish PC was qualified as a pro-life candidate in the last provincial election. However sent in a copy of Rodney MacDonald’s questionnaire. Attached.
Mark Parent, Kings North PC, 1. Depends how you define “Medically”. 2. yes 3. yes 4. It’s a federal matter, 5. yes
John Prail, Kings West PC, Answered  yes to all questions.
Len Goucher, PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.
Pat Dunn, PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.
Sue Uhren, PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.
Alfie MacLeod, PC copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.
Jamie Muir, Truro Bible Hill PC, copy of Rodney MacDonald’s signed questionnaire see attached.
Blair Hannam, PC,copy of Rodney Macdonald’s signed questionnaire see attached. #2. Most definitely.
 

  May 31, 2006

Campaign Life Coalition Nova Scotia

PO Box 2085

Fall River, NS  B2T 1K8

via e-mail: clcns@clcns.com

Thank you for the survey and the opportunity to respond as follows:

1.                    Will you support measures to prevent taxpayers’ money being used to fund abortions which are not medically necessary?

Circumstances such as criminal trauma, rape and incest cause women a great deal of harm - physically, emotionally and spiritually - blurring the line of medical necessity.  The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled on this issue on several occasions and we intend to respect those rulings.

2.                    Do you agree that women should have the right to be thoroughly informed about the possible health consequences of having an abortion, the development of the child in the womb, as well as the alternatives to abortion?

Yes

3.                    Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of a person - by action or omission, with or without that person’s consent - for supposedly compassionate reasons. Will you oppose euthanasia and support measures to instead promote good “palliative care” to alleviate pain and enhance the quality of life for terminally ill patients?

The deliberate killing of a person, by action or omission, is covered under the Criminal Code.  As I'm sure you know, under the Canadian Constitution, the province must abide by these federal laws.

A PC Government is an active participant in the development of integrated palliative care services for all Nova Scotians.  We have been a leader in the development of competencies and specialty examination for palliative care nurses.  In fact, this initiative has helped to raise the awareness of palliative care as a specialty across our country.  It will also enhance the consistency of nursing services in palliative care.  Also, a Palliative Medicine Residency Training Program has been established at Dalhousie University. Our party believes that improving the education that medical professionals receive in palliative care is vital

In addition, our government's recently released Continuing Care Strategy, includes several new and expanded home and community care services including an expansion of Provincial Palliative Care Services.  The province will expand the palliative care program across the province to ensure families will have more choices when a loved one is faced with a life-threatening illness.  The program will follow the model that has been successfully operating in the northern region of the province.  More than $3.1 million will be spent on the program over the next two years, which will include such things as home care authorizations, oxygen, and medication coverage.

Like you, we take this issue very seriously and will continue to do so.

4.                    Do you support the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others?

The definition of marriage falls within federal law.  We will obey that law.

5.                    Will you support legislation that protects religious freedom in relation to the solemnization of marriage for clergy, churches and civil marriage officials?

The Supreme Court was clear.  The issue of religious freedom is already constitutionally protected by the Charter.  A religious official cannot be compelled to perform same-sex marriages that are contrary to their religious beliefs.  To do so would be a violation of the Charter.  No church, synagogue, mosque or temple can be forced to perform a marriage that goes against their religious beliefs.  This is, of course, true for all Canadians.

Thank you for allowing our party a chance to respond to the important questions you raised.  Please learn more about our priorities by reading our platform, Building for Families.  Building for the Future.  You can find our document at www.rodneymacdonald.ca.

Sincerely,

Rodney MacDonald

Leader, PC Party of Nova Scotia