What NDP Politicians Have You Met?

Yes. But Svend had courageously opposed the addition of "God" to the constitution in the first place. Anyway, here's what I posted on babble many years ago in another context:

Unionist, on February 13, 2006 wrote:

I sent Svend a supportive email at the time. Please indulge the following quotes from his lengthy response (I think they're still on topic) dated June 28, 1999:

Svend Robinson wrote:

I am writing to thank you for taking the time to communicate your words of support following my tabling of a petition on June 8 last on the subject of the reference to God in the preamble to the Constitution of Canada. It meant a lot to me, especially after your earlier zinger on Kosovo!

There are two fundamental principles at stake here, I believe. The first is the issue of freedom of speech. [...]

On the substantive question, as a member of the Special Committee on the Constitution in 1980-81, I spoke out against the proposed preambular reference to God. My federal caucus colleagues at that time, and today, took a different position, even though there is no party policy on the issue. I believed then, and continue to believe, that the constitution should reflect the full diversity of our society, a secular society, with people of many different religious faiths and other people, including humanists, of no religious belief. [...]

I am pleased that my tabling of this petition has led to a national debate and discussion on the issue of separation of church and state. Unfortunately, too much of this debate has been characterized by distortion and misrepresentation of my position. I particularly regret, of course, the response of my leader and some caucus colleagues in these circumstances. I should make it clear that, despite media reports to the contrary, at no time did I "apologize" to anybody for my actions in presenting this petition. I was pleased that Alexa McDonough made it clear during the recent B.C. New Democrat convention that we are putting this "family feud" behind us, and moving on to deal with other serious issues that confront our country and our globe. In doing so, I trust that we will be guided by the words of our federal NDP mission statement adopted in 1993: "We pledge ourselves to working with those the world over who seek to build a global society respectful of human rights and cultural diversity: a society in which every world citizen shares sustainable prosperity, democracy, equality, and peace."

Amen.

Anyone who would like the full text of Svend's reply can send me a private message.