Yet Another Reason to Move to Canada...
Why are we still living in the U.S.?
Canada court clears way for same-sex marriage law
December 10, 2004
FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES
TORONTO -- Canada's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that same-sex marriages are allowed under the nation's constitution, clearing the way for Prime Minister Paul Martin and his Liberal Party to move forward with plans to introduce federal legislation to legalize marriage for gays and lesbians.
The top court's finding, which had been expected by legal experts, follows rulings by lower courts in seven Canadian jurisdictions that have said existing marriage laws discriminated against homosexuals.
The court was ruling on the legal question to help it advise the House of Commons before it considered legislation, approved by the federal cabinet last year, to redefine marriage to include gay and lesbian couples.
If approved by a majority of the House of Commons, as expected, Canada would become the third country to embrace marriage by homosexuals and lesbians. Belgium and the Netherlands are the other two.
However, the court said religious officials cannot be forced to perform unions against their beliefs.
Martin said after the ruling that because judges in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and the Yukon already allow gay marriages, it should be approved nationwide.
Martin said his government would introduce a bill shortly after Christmas.
He noted that members of Parliament would be free to vote their conscience, but his cabinet ministers would have to support his bill.
Public opinion in Canada is divided on the matter.
In the United States, a majority of Americans oppose gay marriage, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll taken in November, after constitutional amendments in 11 states to ban same-sex marriage were approved.
Canada court clears way for same-sex marriage law
December 10, 2004
FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES
TORONTO -- Canada's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that same-sex marriages are allowed under the nation's constitution, clearing the way for Prime Minister Paul Martin and his Liberal Party to move forward with plans to introduce federal legislation to legalize marriage for gays and lesbians.
The top court's finding, which had been expected by legal experts, follows rulings by lower courts in seven Canadian jurisdictions that have said existing marriage laws discriminated against homosexuals.
The court was ruling on the legal question to help it advise the House of Commons before it considered legislation, approved by the federal cabinet last year, to redefine marriage to include gay and lesbian couples.
If approved by a majority of the House of Commons, as expected, Canada would become the third country to embrace marriage by homosexuals and lesbians. Belgium and the Netherlands are the other two.
However, the court said religious officials cannot be forced to perform unions against their beliefs.
Martin said after the ruling that because judges in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and the Yukon already allow gay marriages, it should be approved nationwide.
Martin said his government would introduce a bill shortly after Christmas.
He noted that members of Parliament would be free to vote their conscience, but his cabinet ministers would have to support his bill.
Public opinion in Canada is divided on the matter.
In the United States, a majority of Americans oppose gay marriage, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll taken in November, after constitutional amendments in 11 states to ban same-sex marriage were approved.
posted by Sarah @ 11:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home