03-09-2004, 01:01 PM
As requested, the current status of gay marriage in Canada:
I did the cut'n'paste thing because I am too lazy to type it all up and this summary is, I believe, accurate.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the provincial governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec granted restricted rights to gays and lesbians, that were nearly equivalent to those enjoyed by heterosexual common-law couples.
On 2003-JUN-10, the definition of marriage in Ontario was widened by the courts so that same-sex couples were allowed to obtain marriage licenses and register their marriages for the first time.
On 2003-JUL-8, the province of British Columbia followed suit.
The deputy Prime Minister, John Manley, commented to the media on 2003-AUG-21 that Quebec will soon start to register same sex marriages. If this happens, then same sex marriage will be available to 80% of Canada's gay and lesbian population without them having to leave their province of residency.
The federal government submitted draft legislation to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2003-JUL, which would redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. The Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the proposed laws in 2004.
A new prime-minister assumed office in mid 2003-DEC. He has decided to explore all of the possible options that are both constitutional and capable of ensuring full benefits for gays and lesbians. The government is expected to ask the Supreme Court whether a Vermont-style civil union structure is constitutional.
Same-sex adult couples are expected to be able to obtain full marital privileges anywhere in Canada by 2004-JUL.
I did the cut'n'paste thing because I am too lazy to type it all up and this summary is, I believe, accurate.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the provincial governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec granted restricted rights to gays and lesbians, that were nearly equivalent to those enjoyed by heterosexual common-law couples.
On 2003-JUN-10, the definition of marriage in Ontario was widened by the courts so that same-sex couples were allowed to obtain marriage licenses and register their marriages for the first time.
On 2003-JUL-8, the province of British Columbia followed suit.
The deputy Prime Minister, John Manley, commented to the media on 2003-AUG-21 that Quebec will soon start to register same sex marriages. If this happens, then same sex marriage will be available to 80% of Canada's gay and lesbian population without them having to leave their province of residency.
The federal government submitted draft legislation to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2003-JUL, which would redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. The Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the proposed laws in 2004.
A new prime-minister assumed office in mid 2003-DEC. He has decided to explore all of the possible options that are both constitutional and capable of ensuring full benefits for gays and lesbians. The government is expected to ask the Supreme Court whether a Vermont-style civil union structure is constitutional.
Same-sex adult couples are expected to be able to obtain full marital privileges anywhere in Canada by 2004-JUL.
And you may call it righteousness
When civility survives,
But I've had dinner with the Devil and
I know nice from right.
From Dinner with the Devil, by Big Rude Jake
When civility survives,
But I've had dinner with the Devil and
I know nice from right.
From Dinner with the Devil, by Big Rude Jake