Spike in Canada same-sex marriages
Pastor Dale Morgan
Spike in Canada same-sex marriages*
From correspondents in Ottawa
November 21, 2006 07:50am
Article from: Agence France-Presse
GAY and lesbian couples are marrying at a dizzying pace in Canada, up 23
per cent since June, ahead of a planned review of its controversial
same-sex marriage law, proponents of the bill said today.
Almost 12,500 gays and lesbians tied the knot in the past 18 months,
including 2300 newlyweds in recent months, Canadians for Equal Marriage
said.
Canada legalised gay unions in June 2005 following a series of court
decisions.
But Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised during an election campaign
in late 2005 to revisit the law passed by the previous Liberal
government, by holding a free vote in Parliament to decide the issue, again.
Opponents led by religious groups hope to reverse the law.
Mr Harper's critics denounced his proposal to restore the traditional
definition of marriage between one man and one woman, saying he would
have to override the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians.
Polls show a majority of Canadians do not want to re-open the divisive
marriage debate while Canada's minority Parliament is poised to defeat
Mr Harper's motion, if it is brought forward.