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MIRAMICHI, N.B. -- Stephen Harper has waded into the controversy over Russias new anti-gay law. Speaking in Miramichi, N.B., the prime minister says Canadians expect his government to defend human rights. Harper says Canada is not a country where people are jailed or killed for their political positions or for engaging in certain consensual acts between adults. Earlier in the day, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird also expressed hope that the controversy would be resolved before the Winter Games in Sochi begin in February. The controversial Russian law bans so-called "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" and imposes fines on people who stage gay pride rallies. Russia says it has no intention of changing the law as international pressure builds ahead of next years Games. "I think its important to recognize there are some controversies in this matter, but the reality is that our position is that we dont imprison or kill people for acts committed freely between adults," Harper said. "We dont imprison people for their expressing political positions. I think our position in this regard represents the position of Canadians and they expect that we speak in favour of these rights." For his part, Baird expressed concern about what the anti-gay law will mean for Canadian athletes and spectators at the Games. "We are concerned, obviously, about Canadian athletes and other participants, spectators and attendees of the Olympics there," Baird said during a conference call with journalists. "But we should be very clear: theyre only going to be there two or three weeks. The people of Russia will have to deal with this law 365 days of the year, every year. Lets hope that decency will prevail." There have been calls for protests, a boycott and petitions to move the Games to Vancouver, where they were staged in 2010. Baird, who is in Brazil on trade talks, says the furor over the law is a chance to put President Vladimir Putins Russia under the microscope. "Weve got an important opportunity for the free world to be able to focus on whats happening in Russia in the recent weeks and months, and hopefully that can yield a change." The foreign affairs minister also says he was pleased that the International Olympic Committee asked the Russian government to clarify parts of the law. IOC President Jacques Rogge said Russia provided written re-assurances about the law on Thursday, but some parts remain unclear. "We are waiting for the clarifications before having the final judgment on these reassurances," Rogge said. U.S. President Barack Obama also spoke out against the law on Friday, saying he was deeply offended by it. He expressed hope that some gay and lesbian athletes will win some medals, something he said would "go a long way in rejecting the kind of attitudes that were seeing there." Russias sports minister has said Olympians must respect the countrys laws during the Sochi Games. However, the Russian government says it will respect the private lives of Olympic athletes. -- With files from The Associated Press Wholesale Adidas NHL Jerseys . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. Cheap NHL Jerseys China . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. http://www.cheapnhljerseysfreeshipping.com/ . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Discount Hockey Jerseys . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Adidas NHL Jerseys Wholesale . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats.Jarryd Hayne is giving up his NFL career in a bid to represent Fiji in the Olympic Games Rugby Sevens tournament. Hayne was a successful rugby league player in Australia, winning 12 Test caps, before making a move to the United States and joining the San Francisco 49ers as a running back and special teams player.But the 28-year-old could not force himself into a regular role last season, gaining 52 yards on 17 carries, making six catches and returning eight punts in his eight games. He started one game in the absence of injured starter Carlos Hyde. The support and understanding from the 49ers organisation was unbelievable when I let them know about my decision to pursue another dream, said Hayne, whose father is Fijian.The past 12 months with the San Francisco 49ers haave been absolutely incredible.dddddddddddd I could not have predicted how far I have come as an NFL player.To not only be able to play in a game, but also say that I started a game in the NFL is something that I will remember for a lifetime.I am retiring from the NFL because the Fiji Rugby Sevens team reached out to me about the opportunity to join the team for the upcoming Olympics, and I simply could not pass that chance up. The Olympics has been something I have admired since I was a little boy, and it is an opportunity I feel very similar to me joining the NFL. 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