Supreme Court Upholds Equal Marriage Legislation
December 9, 2004
“The Supreme Court today gave a green light to the government’s proposed equal marriage legislation, reflecting Canadian values and Canadians’ commitment to fairness,” said Alex Munter, Co-Chair of Canadians for...  Full Text | In French

Calls from Some MPs to Use Notwithstanding Clause Out of Step with Canadian Values
December 9, 2004
The Supreme Court ruled today that the government’s proposed equal marriage legislation is within Parliament’s exclusive jurisdiction and consistent with the Charter. It also ruled that the Charter protects religious officials from...  Full Text

It’s Time for Parliament to Act
December 8, 2004
On Thursday, December 9, 2004, at 9:45 am, the Supreme Court will release its historic opinion on the Reference regarding the federal government’s legislation to permit same-sex couples to marry.  Full Text | In French

Laurie’s Notes from the Supreme Court
October 7, 2004
Sorry for the delay, but here at last is a summary of my notes for the second and final day of the Marriage Reference. You’ll note a lot more questions from the judges than on day one, when supporters of equal marriage presented. The Court...  Full Text

Supreme Court Judges Peppered Equal-Marriage Opponents with Questions
October 7, 2004
The Supreme Court concluded hearings on the historic Reference of the federal government’s equal marriage legislation today. It heard from the Attorney General of Canada and an unprecedented 27 intervenors, including all of the couples and...  Full Text | In French

Laurie’s Notes from the Supreme Court
October 6, 2004
I just got back from the Supreme Court, and want to give a quick overview of the day’s events. The Court was packed. Luckily, a number of us got there early and were able to sit in the main courtroom. They even gave us tickets, so we could...  Full Text

The Marriage Reference: It’s About Human Rights and Equality
October 5, 2004
At 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6, the Supreme Court will hear the historic Reference of the federal government’s equal marriage legislation. In addition to the Attorney General of Canada, there are an unprecedented 27 intervenors,...  Full Text | In French

The Marriage Reference: Legal and Political Q&A
October 5, 2004
Courts have said that access to civil marriage for same-sex couples is a matter of equality, and denial of that access is discrimination. They have also ruled that permitting equal marriage does not infringe anyone’s freedom of religion, but...  Full Text

The Marriage Reference in Context
October 5, 2004
In the fall of 2002, following the first Ontario decision that excluding same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional, the feds decided to ask Canadians what they thought about marriage for same-sex couples. Parliament’s Justice...  Full Text

Equal Marriage Supporters Speak
October 1, 2004
On Tuesday, October 5, 2004, Canadians for Equal Marriage and Egale will hold a press conference to provide background on the Supreme Court Marriage Reference. It will include speakers from various intervenors and other high-profile supporters of...  Full Text

Canadians for Equal Marriage Responds to Announcement Regarding Marriage Reference
January 28, 2004
On Wednesday, January 28, 2004, Canadians for Equal Marriage will hold a press conference to respond to the Justice Minister’s announcement that the federal government will expand the Reference to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding...  Full Text | In French

Memorandum of Argument
November 12, 2003
The Moving Party Egale Canada Inc. (“Egale”) is Canada’s only national organization that advocates equality and justice for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people (“LGBTs”) and their...  Full Text

Affidavit of Ian Laurie Arron
November 12, 2003
I, IAN LAURIE ARRON, of the City of Toronto, in the Regional Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, MAKE OATH AND SAY: I am the Director of Advocacy of Egale Canada Inc.(“Egale”) and am the Chair of Egale’s Equal Marriage...  Full Text

Factum of the Attorney General of Canada
October 24, 2003
In this Reference, the Attorney General of Canada affirms the validity of proposed federal legislation that enacts a definition of certain aspects of marriage for civil purposes. The proposed law is an initiative on the part of the Government of...  Full Text

Egale Welcomes Equal Marriage Bill, Which Affirms Basic Principles of Equality and Respect
July 17, 2003
Egale Canada, the national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered rights organization, welcomed today the release of a federal Bill to provide same-sex couples with the equal right to marry across Canada.  Full Text | In French

Egale Responds to Government Announcement on Same-Sex Marriage
June 17, 2003
Today, Tuesday, June 17, 2003, following a Cabinet retreat, the Liberal government will be announcing the government’s response to last week’s Ontario Court of Appeal ruling on same-sex marriage.  Full Text | In French