November 18, 2003

Bob Wood, M.P.
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, ON. K1A 0A6
 

Dear Mr. Wood:            

   At its meeting last August, the General Council of The United Church of Canada overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging the Government of Canada to support equal marriage legislation, that is, marriage between any two persons regardless of their sexual orientation.

   The Social Justice Network of Ontario Conferences of the United Church of Canada, meeting last month, agreed with the identification of equal marriage as a fundamental matter of human rights.  There is much discussion in many faith communities regarding the definition of marriage.  We note, however, the ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal which compels the issue of equal marriage to the forefront within the Province of Ontario.

   Not only as the United Church of Canada stated its support for equal marriage, it has produced an excellent resource, Of Love and Justice, which can be accessed through the Church’s website  www.united-church.ca.  It is expected that this resource will be published in the New Year.

   We encourage you to continue dialogue on this fundamental issue of human rights, and hope and pray that your continued service to the people of Ontario will continue to bear fruit.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Don Uhryniw                                           Rev. Glen Eagle
Co-Chair                                                       Co-Chair
Social Justice Network of Ontario Conferences
The United Church of Canada