Posted by blood roses at 12:54pm Dec 11 '04Here is the bill that the federal government proposed:
WHEREAS marriage is a fundamental institution in Canadian society and the Parliament of Canada has a responsibility to support that institution because it strengthens commitment in relationships and represents the foundation of family life for many Canadians;
WHEREAS, in order to reflect values of tolerance, respect and equality consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, access to marriage for civil purposes should be extended to couples of the SAME-SEX;
AND WHEREAS everyone has the freedom of conscience and religion under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and officials of religious groups are free to refuse to perform marriages that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs;
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
1. Marriage, for civil purposes, is the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others.
2. Nothing in this Act affects the freedom of officials of religious groups to refuse to perform marriages that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs.
The government sent it to the Supreme Court to get a ruling on whether the law is constitutional, and it has been approved. It will now go to a vote in Parliament where it is expected to pass.
The court also ruled that marriage is under federal jurisdiction, so if this law passes, individual provinces will be forced to comply. (Alberta, my province *sighs* has been talking about fighting the law... they're pretty much rendered powerless to do so now).
Pretty exciting stuff!
WHEREAS marriage is a fundamental institution in Canadian society and the Parliament of Canada has a responsibility to support that institution because it strengthens commitment in relationships and represents the foundation of family life for many Canadians;
WHEREAS, in order to reflect values of tolerance, respect and equality consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, access to marriage for civil purposes should be extended to couples of the SAME-SEX;
AND WHEREAS everyone has the freedom of conscience and religion under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and officials of religious groups are free to refuse to perform marriages that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs;
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
1. Marriage, for civil purposes, is the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others.
2. Nothing in this Act affects the freedom of officials of religious groups to refuse to perform marriages that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs.
The government sent it to the Supreme Court to get a ruling on whether the law is constitutional, and it has been approved. It will now go to a vote in Parliament where it is expected to pass.
The court also ruled that marriage is under federal jurisdiction, so if this law passes, individual provinces will be forced to comply. (Alberta, my province *sighs* has been talking about fighting the law... they're pretty much rendered powerless to do so now).
Pretty exciting stuff!
Link: story
Same sex marriage bill gets support of the court - blood roses