| |
 |
 Appeared in CNN.
OTTAWA, Canada (Reuters) -- The Canadian government signaled its
acceptance of gay marriages on Tuesday, deciding not to appeal an Ontario
provincial court decision that opened the door to such unions.
"Not to appeal means that we recognize the definitions that have been
developed by the courts," Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said after the
federal cabinet made the far-reaching decision.
The government plans to draft legislation to legalize same-sex unions and
ask the Supreme Court to rule on its constitutionality before allowing
members of Parliament to hold a free vote on the bill, he said.
In the meantime, gay marriages in Ontario, where an appeals court set
aside the heterosexual definition of marriage last week, will be valid,
but will not be possible in other provinces.
 
Jun. 17, 2003.
|
|
