Same-Sex Legislation Passed!, Federal Government Recognizes! Options

Same-sex legislation passed

Last Updated Tue, 28 Jun 2005 21:07:41 EDT
CBC News

The Liberals' controversial same-sex marriage legislation has passed final reading the House of Commons, sailing through with a vote of 158 for and 133 against.

Supported by most members of the Liberals, the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP, the legislation passed easily, making Canada only the third country in the world, after the Netherlands and Belgium, to officially recognize same-sex unions.
But the passage of Bill C-38, once again, came with a political price tag for the government. Joe Comuzzi, resigned from the cabinet so he could vote against the bill - an open rebuke of the government legislation.

Comuzzi was the minister responsible for Northern Ontario.

Although he was the only cabinet minister to break ranks with Prime Minister Paul Martin over the controversial plan to legalize the marriage of gays and lesbians, it highlighted the divisions within Canada and the within the Liberal party, pitting supporters of equality rights against those who are defending religious freedoms.

For Comuzzi, the decision to resign meant putting principles ahead of the privileges of cabinet. "In 2004, during the election, I promised faithfully to the people of Thunder Bay-Superior North, that I would defend the definition of marriage," he said, explaining his move.

The prime minister said he regretted the decision of a man he called an "old friend," but accepts it because the government must speak with one voice on same-sex marriage.

The "vote is about the Charter of Rights," said Martin. "We're a nation of minorities and in a nation of minorities you don't cherry-pick rights."

The government has moved over the last few the months to appease critics both within Liberal ranks and among Canadians at large. Amendments were introduced to ensure no religious group or charitable organization is forced to accept same-sex marriage. But in spite of those amendments some groups remain unconvinced.

Same-sex marriage remains one of the most difficult issues ever to confront Canadian politicians. In large part passage of the bill is the reason the parliamentary session was extended for the first time in 17 years.

But while Tuesday night's vote closes off the debate in the Commons, the Conservatives insist there is no closure for Canadians who believe marriage should continue to be defined as the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says if his party forms the next government, the law will be revisited.

Harper made the promise one day after suggesting the adoption of the law lacked legitimacy because it relied on the support of the separatist Bloc Quebecois. Harper said he believes Bloc MPs are the legitimate representatives of Quebec voters. But he argues most Canadians aren't buying it as a final decision since most federalist MPs are opposed to same-sex marriage.

Harper says a Conservative government would hold a free vote for all MPs on the matter, rather than forcing cabinet ministers to vote with the government.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/nati...esex050628.html

I just figured that I would post some info here on the tail end of this thread. It is somewhat related to the subject of the thread, but not completely on topic. About 2 months ago the laws of Ontario were changed to allow neo-pagan priests and priestesses to become ordained legally so that they can perform marriages, funerals or anuything else that priests do. Mostly its the marry and bury rights that are inportant. I suppose the tax stuff might be important to some. The law had been that a church had to be in existence for 25 years before their clergy could be licenced. It was pointed out to them that international laws say differently. Before this, a neo-pagan or wiccan clergy could marry someone only if they were ordinated and licenced under a recognized church. They may have been recognized as clergy, but not wiccan or neo-pagan clergy. Last I heard there were 5 wiccan clergy licenced to marry and bury. One only does lesbian unions. Another, a friend of mine, will do marriages/handfastings for straight or gay. Probably the rest are also flexible about performing for gay or straight handfastings.
British Columbia is the next on the list to pressure them to make amendments that would bring BC provincial law into line with world law. Expect it this summer. I haven't looked but probably by this time there should be an announcement and further info on witchs vox. They have to form some sort of commiuttee to look at the qualifications od candidates to be licenced. I've been monitoring the battle to see this through for about 2 years now. Maybe I'll get my licence as well.