IS CANADIAN GOVT TRYING TO UNDO SSM?: From 365Gay.com

There are mounting fears that the federal government is
attempting to renege on a commitment to legalize same-sex marriage across the country.

After courts in Ontario and British Columbia ruled last summer that it was unconstitutional to prevent gays from marrying, the government of Prime Minister Jean Chretien said it would pass legislation to extend
same-sex marriage throughout the country.

The decision sparked a mini-revolt within the ranks of the ruling Liberals, was opposed by the opposition Canadian Alliance, and condemned by conservative religious groups.

To placate those opposed to gay marriage, the government took the unusual step of submitting the draft legislation to the Supreme Court of Canada for a ruling on its constitutionality. The government specifically
asked the court for a legal opinion on whether it sufficiently protected gays and at the same time churches which were opposed to same-sex marriage.

The hearing before the court is scheduled for early spring.

But Chretien retires in a matter of days, to be replaced as Liberal leader and Prime Minister by Paul Martin, and a spring court battle over gay marriage is not on his agenda. Martin is said to be planning an election for early spring, and the last thing he wants is a divisive
battle over gay marriage which could cost the party votes.

This week the party caucus will meet to plan for the winter session of Parliament and high on the agenda is what to do about gay marriage. And already the term "Civil Unions" is cropping up more and more frequently.

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posted by Eve at 2:48 PM | link

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