Government Unnecessarily Delays Equality
It’s time for the Prime Minister to take the lead in supporting equal marriage legislation

TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2004 – Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced today that the government will ask the Supreme Court to add a fourth question to the Reference, namely whether excluding same-sex couples is compatible with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He added that the government is unwavering in its commitment to introduce legislation to give same-sex couples access to civil marriage.

“The current Supreme Court Reference makes it clear the government will pass legislation to give same-sex couples access to civil marriage and simply asks if that is constitutional,” said Bob Gallagher, National Coordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage. “The new question asks whether it’s okay to exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage. This unnecessarily delays equality and opens the door for the government to backtrack on introducing legislation to give same-sex couples access to civil marriage.”

“We are confident the Supreme Court will confirm that excluding gay and lesbian people from marriage violates the Charter,” said Laurie Arron, Political Coordinator for Canadians for Equal Marriage. “However, the Prime Minister must clearly state that his government not only intends to pass equal marriage legislation, but that it WILL pass that legislation, no ifs ands or buts.”

“The Justice Minister said that the government is committed to equal marriage for same-sex couples,” said Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director of Egale Canada. “However, our communities will certainly be scratching their heads and wondering whether they can trust the Prime Minister to maintain his support for equal marriage legislation. He needs to show some leadership in convincing Canadians that this is the right thing to do.”

“The Justice Minister appeared to state that the government will argue court that it is a violation of the Charter to exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage,” added John Fisher, spokesperson for Canadians for Equal Marriage. “However, he was not clear in stating that. The government needs to clearly state that they will argue that excluding same-sex couples is contrary to the Charter.”

“Would the Prime Minister be doing this if one of his children fell in love with someone of the same sex?” said Alex Munter, Co-Chair of Canadians for Equal Marriage. “This is a basic human rights issue, one that has been debated over and over again. It is simply unacceptable to add another delay to passing this legislation.”

“Since June, thousands of same-sex couples have gotten married, including Heather and me,” said Lisa Lachance, Co-Chair of Canadians for Equal Marriage. “We need reassurance that the government will ensure that our marriages will always be legally valid. Can the Prime Minister guarantee this?”

“Marriage is about love and commitment,” continued Ms.Lachance. “Same-sex couples can be just as loving and committed as opposite-sex couples. That’s why excluding us is discrimination, plain and simple.”

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For more info:

Bob Gallagher, National Coordinator, Canadians for Equal Marriage: 416-456-4043

Laurie Arron, Political Coordinator, Canadians for Equal Marriage: 416-839-7178 (c), 416 928-1238 (o) Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director, Egale Canada: 613-864-1133

Lisa Lachance, Co-chair, Canadians for Equal Marriage: 613-230-1043

Alex Munter, Co-chair, Canadians for Equal Marriage: 613-562-5800 x2586

Mary-Woo Sims, Co-chair, Canadians for Equal Marriage: 604-328-2058

See also www.equal-marriage.ca as well as www.egale.ca