Government Should Provide Retroactive Survivor Benefits Notwithstanding Hislop
March 5, 2007
Ottawa, March 2, 2007: The Supreme Court of Canada today released its decision in the Hislop case, reiterating that same-sex partners are entitled to equal survivor benefits under the Canada Pension Plan. However, the Court did not provide for full...  Full Text

Lobbying disguised as research: The first step to greater influence
February 23, 2006
Since it worked in the States, it should work here. At least, that’s what the religious right hopes as it continues subtly organizing to reclaim political space. On February 16 in Ottawa, the Institute of Family and Marriage Canada (IFMC) held ...  Full Text

Hislop Wins Again
November 26, 2004
The Ontario Court of Appeal today largely upheld the January 19, 2004 decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, paving the way for awarding surviving spousal pensions to same-sex partners whose spouses passed away between 1985 and 1998. The...  Full Text | In French

EGALE Saddened By Decision to Appeal Pension Case
January 19, 2004
Ottawa, January 19, 2004: The federal government has appealed the December 19, 2003 Hislop decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which awarded surviving spousal pensions to same-sex partners who lost their loved ones between 1985 and 1998.  Full Text | In French

Census Results a Big Step Forward in Same-Sex Recognition
October 22, 2002
Statistics Canada released today the results of the 2001 Census, which, for the first time ever, asked a question about same-sex relationships. The results show a total of 34,200 same-sex common-law couples reporting their relationships, representing...  Full Text

House of Commons Immigration Committee Calls for New Definition of “Common-Law Partner”
March 22, 2002
The House of Commons Immigration Committee released its much-anticipated report on the proposed immigration regulations yesterday, agreeing with submissions made by LEGIT (Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force) and Egale, that the proposed regulation...  Full Text

Reform Party motion would restrict marriage to opposite sex couples
June 8, 2000
Ottawa—Today, the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Reform Party motion opposing same-sex marriage. The motion, introduced by Eric Lowther MP, the Reform Party Critic on 'Children and Families', affirms the exclusion of gays...  Full Text

EGALE and Foundation For Equal Families Present Government with 6,500 Postcards Calling for Equality for Same-Sex Relationships
February 7, 2000
The equality organizations EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere) and the Foundation for Equal Families today presented the Hon. Hedy Fry, PC, MP with over 6,500 postcards addressed to the Prime Minister.  Full Text | In French

Separate Is Unequal! No Separate Definition for Those in Same-Sex Relationships
November 3, 1999
EGALE understands that the federal government is currently consideringthe introduction of omnibus legislation to treat those in same-sexrelationships equally, and to bring its laws into conformity with theCharter of Rights. EGALE welcomes this...  Full Text

Bill C-78: Public Sector Pension Investment Board Act
September 14, 1999
An Act to establish the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, to amend the Public Service Superannuation Act, the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act...  Link

1999 Postcard Campaign
June 23, 1999
The Supreme Court has spoken but laws have not changed. Send your postcard today and don’t forget the stamp!!  Full Text

EGALE to Appear before House of Commons Subcommittee on Tax Equity
May 26, 1999
The national organization EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere), will testify tomorrow before the House of Commons Subcommittee on Tax Equity for Canadian Families with Dependent Children. EGALE will be submitting that an inclusinve...  Full Text

House of Commons Votes on Same-Sex Survivor Benefits
May 25, 1999
The House of Commons is expected to vote today on Bill C-78, a Bill which will make numerous changes to the Public Service Superannuation Act, including extending survivor benefits to same-sex spouses.  Full Text

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Pride Festival Launches Its 1999 Campaign, Joining Forces With the Foundation for Equal Families, and Egale
May 3, 1999
A joint press conference will be held Thursday, May 6, 11:00 am at the Charles Lynch Press Conference Room, (Room 130) Centre Block, Parliament Hill. Members of the press will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Foundation for...  Full Text

Four MPs Support Recognizing Gay and Lesbian Couples in Federal Legislation
February 1, 1999
OTTAWA (CP)—Parliamentarians from four parties presented a common front Tuesday in support of recognizing gay and lesbian couples in federal legislation. Liberal MP Bill Graham, Tory MP Diane St. Jacques, Bloc MP Real Menard and NDP MP Svend...  Full Text

Gay Community Launches Historic Federal Legal Challenge to Recognise Same-Sex Families
January 7, 1999
In a new pro-active strategy, the Foundation For Equal Families has served the Federal Government with an omnibus legal challenge of all federal laws that discriminate against gays and lesbians. Read the Foundation’s factsheets.  Full Text

Equal Families Canada
January 1, 1999
If successful, the Foundation For Equal Families omnibus federal legal challenge will have a direct impact on the lives of lesbians and gays, their partners and their children. These are rights and obligations that all of us in same-sex relationships...  Full Text

Urgent Notice Concerning Same-sex Benefits
January 1, 1999
Have you been involved in a committed relationship with a partner of the same gender who died after 1985?  Full Text

EGALE to Appear before Senate Committee on Child Custody
March 20, 1998
EGALE has received a request from the Senate Special Committee on Child Custody and Access to appear next Monday and address issues relevant to same-sex relationships and lesbian and gay parenting. Testifying with EGALE will be a number of experts in...  Full Text

Case on Spousal Rights for Gay Couples
March 18, 1998
PETER MANSBRIDGE: The Supreme Court of Canada heard a case today on spousal rights for gay couples. Specifically, it involves alimony rights in Ontario. As we hear from Susan Harada, the implications of the case could be enormous.  Full Text

Same-Sex Couples and Family Law
March 17, 1998
PETER MANSBRIDGE: An important case involving same-sex couples is going to the Supreme Court tomorrow. It’s a case that could change the definition of the term spouse and affect legislation from coast to coast. But the case has become even more...  Full Text

EGALE Makes Its Position Clear
March 11, 1998
The following piece is written in response to an opinion piece in February’s issue of Wayves that called into question EGALE’s position on same-sex marriage.  Full Text

Some Questions and Answers
January 23, 1998
Equality. Lesbians and gays are routinely denied access to many benefits that heterosexuals take for granted. We are not fully protected by human rights laws, we do not get treated equally under family laws, we do not have the same right to inherit...  Full Text

Written Submissions to the Prince Edward Island Standing Committee on Social Development
October 24, 1997
'Citizens whose sexual orientation is gay or lesbian ought not to be excluded from the protections afforded to all other citizens through either neglect or the failure of governments to develop the legislation that would provide that protection.  Full Text

Written Submissions to the Standing Committee on Social Programs, Government of the Northwest Territories
June 11, 1997
'The history of western civilisation records that from biblical times to our own, homosexuals have been subjected to discrimination because of their sexual orientation. As with other forms of discrimination, it is unjust for it fails to take into...  Full Text

Improving Lives of Children Focus of Legislative Changes
June 5, 1997
VICTORIA—Attorney General Ujjal Dosanjh today introduced several legislative changes that will improve the lives of children and families through stricter enforcement of child support orders, use of standardized support guidelines and a wider...  Full Text

Key Vote Summary
April 1, 1997
There have been three key votes on lesbian and gay issues in the House of Commons this mandate:  Full Text

EGALE Calls on PM to Affirm Hawaii Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
December 4, 1996
The national lesbian and gay rights organization EGALE today called on Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to affirm that Canada will recognize same-sex marriages validly performed in Hawaii. Yesterday the Hawaii Circuit Court ruled that the refusal to...  Full Text

PM Remarks on Same-Sex Couples
October 1, 1996
In October 1996, Prime Minister Chrétien was asked about same-sex couples by a Manitoba high school student. Here is how the PM responded.  Full Text

Hedy Fry to Accept Same-Sex Video at Gay Valentine Presentation to MPs
February 13, 1996
This Valentine’s Day, M.P.s will receive a special Valentine treat: a complimentary copy of the film Jim Loves Jack: the Jim Egan Story, courtesy of EGALE, the Campaign for Equal Families and filmmaker David Adkin. This video traces in...  Full Text

Info-Sheet for MPs
July 1, 1995
What do lesbians and gays want? Equality. Lesbians and gays are routinely denied access to many benefits that heterosexual Canadians take for granted. For example, we do not get treated equally under tax laws, we do not have the same right to sponsor...  Full Text | In French

Lesbian Adoption Ruling Renews Pressure for Government Action
May 11, 1995
Governments are abandoning their responsibility to act on human rights issues, leaving it up to the Courts to implement basic equality, said EGALE, the national lesbian and gay lobby group yesterday.  Full Text

Children’s Rights Advanced by Lesbian Adoption Ruling
May 10, 1995
EGALE applauded today the historic decision of an Ontario Court granting same-sex partners the right to adopt. “This is a great day for equality,” said John Fisher Executive Director of EGALE. “The greatest thing about...  Full Text

What Do Canadians Think?
November 1, 1994
Those who oppose equality for lesbians and gays often like to pretend that they represent “the majority of Canadians.” In fact, opinion polls show that the overwhelming majority of Canadians are opposed to discrimination on the...  Full Text

EGALE Applauds Reinstatement of Court Challenges Program
October 24, 1994
The lesbian and gay group EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere/Égalité pour les gais et les lesbiennes) today welcomed the reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program. The Program, funded by the federal government is...  Full Text

Letter to Ms. Boyd: Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Legislation
May 20, 1994
On behalf of EGALE, I wish to express our appreciation for your actions in introducing the Bill to eliminate discrimination against same-sex relationships yesterday. This is an important human rights issue, with significant impact for a large number...  Full Text

Letter to Ms. Gigantes: Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Legislation
May 20, 1994
On behalf of EGALE, I wish to express our appreciation for your actions in supporting the Bill to eliminate discrimination against same-sex relationships at first reading yesterday. This is an important human rights issue, with significant impact for...  Full Text

Letter to M. Poirier: Same-Sex Relationship Recognition Legislation
May 20, 1994
On behalf of EGALE, I wish to express our appreciation for your actions in supporting the Bill to eliminate discrimination against same-sex relationships at first reading yesterday. This is an important human rights issue, with significant impact for...  Full Text

Lesbians and Gays are Not Family
February 25, 1993
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that lesbian and gay relationships are not protected by the “family status” provisions in the Canadian Human Rights Act.  Full Text | In French

EGALE Questionnaire on Sexual Orientation Issues, 1993
January 1, 1993
In 1985 the all-party Parliamentary Committee on Equality Rights unanimously recommended that the Canadian Human Rights Act be amended to add sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination. In 1986, Justice Minister John Crosbie responded...  Full Text

Campbell Amendments a Betrayal, EGALE Says
December 10, 1992
An Ottawa lesbian and gay rights group says Justice Minister Kim Campbell has betrayed the gay community with the amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act she introduced today.  Full Text

The Federal Postcard Campaign
EGALE, in cooperation with the Foundation for Equal Families, is conducting a massive postcard campaign this summer to demand that the federal government recognize same-sex couples in all federal laws. We are hoping to persuade the Government...  Full Text

Background Paper for the Hon. Allan Rock, Minister of Justice
The purpose of this paper is to provide the Minister with background information about EGALE and EGALE’s position on the issues identified in our proposed agenda...  Full Text

Lesbian and Gay Relationship Recognition Under the Charter
“Through the years, I have paid my taxes, given hundreds of hours each year to charity work and have faced the brunt of discrimination based upon sexual orientation numerous times. I have been beaten, verbally abused...  Full Text