Canadian divorce rates down

[United Press International]

OTTAWA, May 5 (UPI) -- The divorce rate in Canada is in
decline after three years of growth, according to a report by
Statistics Canada.
The number of marriages also declined, but the drop in the
divorce rate outpaced that reduction as Canadians sought more
security and stability, the Globe and Mail reported.
Canada relaxed its divorce laws nearly 20 years ago, but
some experts say the uncertainties of a post-Sept. 11 world have
caused some married couples to rethink their desire to break up.
"I think that the earlier decades of extreme liberalism and
laissez faire with respect to marriage and divorce have come and
gone. ... A lot of people are far worse off after the divorce than
they were when they were married," said Anne-Marie Ambert, a
professor at York University in Toronto and marriage expert.
Between 2000 and 2002, the number of divorces nationwide
fell to 70,155 from 71,144, even as the population expanded. The
trend is also attributable to the fact that living together without
marriage has become more widespread.