Rankin Inlet (Apr 27/05) - It's frustrating when politicians do what they're told instead of listening to the voice of the people, said Patterk Netser.

The Nanulik MLA made the comment in reference to Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell's decision to support the Liberal Party's Bill C-38: legislation endorsing same-sex civil marriage.

Nancy Karetak-Lindell: She'd like to see people become as motivated to address the real issues crippling Inuit communities as they are over same-sex marriage.

Netser said he wasn't surprised by Lindell's decision to support the bill.

"Liberals look after Liberals and that's all there is to it," said Netser.

"It's never really a free vote at the federal level.

"Nancy (Lindell) said she pondered the question whether to vote in favour of Bill C-38, but I knew, being a Liberal, she would toe the party line and support it."

A petition, with more than 250 names protesting her decision, has been sent to Lindell from Coral Harbour and a similar effort is underway in Rankin Inlet.

Netser said even though the Liberals claim Bill C-38 won't force any church to wed gay couples, its passing will leave the door open for activists to force the issue.

He said as soon as same-sex couples start being turned away by the church, activist groups will scream their human rights are being violated.

"It's nonsense for the government to get into the business of protecting sexual preferences.

"Because of the severe housing shortage we suffer, the rights of Inuit are being violated every day.

"But the nation is blind to our rights.

"It's a shame for the nation to get so caught up in such a stupid thing as sexual preference rights."

In making her decision to support the bill, Lindell said seven provinces and one territory have already declared it unconstitutional to deny civil marriage to gay couples.

She said the only way for Parliament to deny the right in those jurisdictions would be to use the notwithstanding clause to override the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"My Inuit, aboriginal and minority rights are protected in Canada by the charter and the Constitution of this country," said Lindell.

"Individual liberty and religious freedom are protected by the charter.

"If I decided not to defend this right by gay couples to marry, how would I defend other rights that are threatened, like our aboriginal rights?

"Would the notwithstanding clause be used against them, too?

Lindell said Bill C-38 is about fundamental rights as Canadians, not religious views, and the state and the church have to remain separate.

She said she'd like to see people become as motivated to address the real issues crippling Inuit communities as they are over same-sex marriage.

"Families are being torn apart by issues we have to confront - family violence, adultery, child abuse of all kinds, gambling and suicide.

"Let us concentrate on matters close to home with the same amount of passion I have seen on the same-sex issue.

"If anything is threatening the sanctity of marriage, it's spousal assault and adultery in our communities.

"Let us not pretend otherwise."

While Netser agrees there are more important issues to be tackled in the North, he said that doesn't change the fact same-sex marriage goes against Inuit beliefs.

"Same-sex marriage is counter-productive to what a human man and woman are called for, and that's to replenish the Earth.

"Nancy supporting the party line proves she doesn't have a mind and she doesn't have a heart.

"Our MP knows where the majority of the people of Nunavut stand on this issue."

Netser said Lindell's decision to support Bill C-38 will affect the outcome of Nunavut's next federal election.

"Bill C-38 is exposing the true nature of people and we'll see what happens if we do have a spring or fall election called.

"It's frustrating when you see people, who are supposed to be intelligent, endorsing something that's counter-productive.

"The people will echo that sentiment to her (Lindell) when the next federal election is called."