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jawnbcSome excerpts from the Supreme Court of Canada decision today, clearing the way for same-sex marriage across Canada.
Whether same-sex marriage would be consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
"...far from violating the Charter, flows from it."
"the mere recognition of the equality rights of one group cannot, in itself, constitute a violation of the rights of another." (meaning religious persons)
Whether religious bodies can be forced to conduct same-sex marriages:
"the guarantee of religious freedom in s. 2(a) of the Charter is broad enough to protect religious officials from being compelled by the state to perform civil or religious same-sex marriages that are contrary to their religious beliefs."
Alberta, the only province to argue against same-sex marriage at the Supreme Court, acknowledged it cannot opt out. The government will bring legislation down in January, which should easily pass, even on a quasi free vote (government ministers have to vote with the government; back benchers do not).
Whether same-sex marriage would be consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
"...far from violating the Charter, flows from it."
"the mere recognition of the equality rights of one group cannot, in itself, constitute a violation of the rights of another." (meaning religious persons)
Whether religious bodies can be forced to conduct same-sex marriages:
"the guarantee of religious freedom in s. 2(a) of the Charter is broad enough to protect religious officials from being compelled by the state to perform civil or religious same-sex marriages that are contrary to their religious beliefs."
Alberta, the only province to argue against same-sex marriage at the Supreme Court, acknowledged it cannot opt out. The government will bring legislation down in January, which should easily pass, even on a quasi free vote (government ministers have to vote with the government; back benchers do not).
