Religious Coalition to Present Multi-Faith
Statement Supporting Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

April 10, 2005

"We believe that in an environment where religious beliefs are being used to fuel arguments for and against same-sex marriage, it is essential that politicians and the Canadian public recognize the diversity of views that exist within faith communities." ~ Religious Coalition for Equal Marriage Rights

 

Representatives of a broad range of faith groups, including Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Quakers, Sikhs, and Unitarians, will meet with reporters on Monday, April 11th at 10:00 a.m. to present a joint statement in support of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Monday's news conference will follow a weekend of events happening in cities across Canada, organized to demonstrate faith-based support for same-sex marriage. It will also precede the anticipated vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday, April 12, of an amendment to Bill C-38 [The Civil Marriage Act], which has been proposed by Conservative party leader, Stephen Harper.

A common vision on the issue of same-sex civil marriage has brought together a multi-faith coalition of groups wanting to dispel the myth that if you are a person of faith you must be opposed to same-sex marriage.

Among others, these groups include:

 

LINKS

(Please note: external links open in new browser window)

 

Bill C-38 - Civil Marriage Act
Civil Marriage & the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions

Address by Prime Minister Paul Martin on Bill C-38

Address by Stephen Harper, PC, MP. Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada on Bill C-38

 

Bill C-38

• Bill C-38 - An Act respecting certain aspects of legal capacity for marriage for civil purposes (Civil Marriage Act)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Civil Marriage Act dd Feb. 2005

Backgrounders

• Civil Marriage Act dd Feb. 2005
• Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions - Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on the Marriage Reference dd Dec. 9, 2004
• Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions dd Oct. 5, 2004
• Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions dd Jan. 28, 2004
• Reference to the Supreme Court of Canada dd July 17, 2003
• Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions dd Nov. 7, 2002

News releases

• Government of Canada to Introduce Legislation to Extend Civil Marriage to Same-Sex Couples dd Feb. 1, 2005
• Government of Canada Reaffirms its Position on Supreme Court Reference dd Jan. 28, 2004
• Minister of Justice Announces Reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, dd July 17, 2003
• Minister of Justice Makes Public a Discussion Paper on Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions dd Nov. 7, 2002
• Minister Refers Question Of Marriage And Same-Sex Unions To Standing Committee dd Nov. 12, 2002

Factsheets

• Reference to the Supreme Court of Canada on Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions dd Jan. 28, 2004

Supreme Court of Canada Reference

• Summary - Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on the Marriage Reference dd Dec. 15, 2004
• Decision - Marriage Reference dd Dec. 9, 2004
• Factum of the Attorney General of Canada dd July 16, 2003
• Supplementary Factum of the Attorney General of Canada dd July 16, 2003
• Reply Factum of the Attorney General of Canada dd July 16, 2003

Op-Ed

• So, where do we go from here? by Peter Hogg, dd Dec. 15, 2004
  When it comes to same-sex marriage, Parliament has several paths it could take, says constitutional expert Peter Hogg. All but one lead to the same place.
  (Peter W. Hogg, the former dean of Osgoode Hall Law School, is the scholar in residence at the law firm of Blake, Cassels & Graydon. He acted as counsel for the government of Canada in the marriage reference.)

Discussion Paper

• Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions dd Nov. 2002
• PDF version