Freedom of religion is protected by our Constitution and to suggest that religious beliefs disqualifies anyone from running for public office is the very definition of discrimination.
Mr (Derek) Sloan (MP of Hastings-Lennox and Addington), at no point ever hid his religious convictions. He is a civil libertarian, socially conservative family man that is receptive and open to all the opinions and positions held by his constituents. The beauty of a truly democratic society is the freedom of speech and expression; the freedom to keep an open mind and debate both sides of the issues without reverting to name calling and character assaults.
Within the Conservative big blue tent members are afforded the freedom to vote their conscience. This is the very definition of diversity, something other parties preach but are afraid to practise. The mere suggestion of racism, misogyny and homophobia is a well known tactic from the left used to deflect any discussion of the facts. Furthermore, an attempt to pin these accusations on a man who worked with both men and women from the LGBT community throughout his campaign; a man in a bi-racial marriage, is the epitome of ignorance, intolerance, and hypocrisy.
Carlo Petracca
President HLA Conservative Association