Canada legalizes same-sex marriage

Following the approval of Bill C-38 by the Senate, the legislation that sanctions the equal right of gays and lesbians to marry was given royal assent on July 20, 2005.

Canada is one of only four countries to adopt this human rights position on gay marriage. The others are Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain.

The Liberal Government introduced Bill C-38 to allow same-sex marriages after courts in eight of ten provinces had ruled that a heterosexual-only definition of marriage was unconstitutional.

The legislation did not pass without controversy and fierce opposition from the Conservative Party and religious groups who saw it as an attack on organized religions. Noteworthy, however, is the fact that this legislation does not require religious groups to perform same-sex marriages. The decision to perform these ceremonies, or not, will be made by each religious organization.

This is a long awaited piece of legislation and is certainly cause for celebration among our gay and lesbian members.

In solidarity,

Susan Finn
National Vice President – Human Rights