Scheer could certainly have handled this better but I have noticed over the years that the only time a political leader's personal religious views become an election issue is when they are a conservative, everyone else gets a pass.
Well, yeah... no other MP from any other party has tried to legislate based on religious values. The CPC are electing socially conservative MPs who have anti-abortion, anti-gay rights backers ($$$) helping them along. Gee... I wonder why it might be an issue with the CPC.
They aren't even questioned, let alone challenged, immunity goes with the label.
Not true. There was a story where the CBC questioned each leader on where they stand on religious values during this election. Also, May was questioned extensively on her Catholicism.
If the leader of any other party has tried to legislate based on religious values, I am guessing there would be questions. They haven't. I asked for examples of this from you and MH and you haven't provided anything.
If Scheer or any other leader wants to allow a private member bill, that's fine with me as long as it is a free vote. If you are concerned about free votes you should pay more attention to your candidates beliefs than their leader's.
A free vote for bills that, as you say below, aren't Constitutionally valid? OK. Sounds good to me. I encourage as many CPC MPs as possible to bring forth such legislation. Let's see what happens at the next election.
The Supreme Court already ruled the abortion provision of the Criminal code violated the Charter of Rights. Why do you think any other legislation wouldn't suffer the same fate.
I would prefer MPs not to have regressive social values and to try and legislate based on those repugnant values. But, the CPC should fill its boots and go whole hog on governing as a theocracy... see how that works out for them.