Mid way through the 2004 election campaign, Stephen Harper said he would amend and clarify the recently passed hate law that offers protection to gays and lesbians.
Harper was responding to comments by Tory candidate Cheryl Gallant, who said the law should be repealed. Gallant said the term "sexual orientation," which has been added to the protected categories under the existing law, is too vague and could include protection for pedophiles.
"What I saw in the [Gallant] comments was simply that the term sexual orientation is legally vague," Harper told reporters in Quebec City.
"So I think all that needs to be done for those who have those concerns is to make sure the law is clear. I'm certainly prepared to do that, but I am not prepared to repeal that legislation."
