Bill C-23: Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act
June 29, 2000
A number of federal Acts provide for benefits or obligations that depend on a person's relationship to another individual, including their husband or wife and other family members. Most of those Acts currently provide that the benefits...  Link

Third Reading Vote Today on Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation
April 11, 2000
At 5:30 p.m. today, the House of Commons will vote at third reading on Bill C-23, the Modernizing Benefits and Obligations Act. The Bill amends 68 federal statutes to provide same-sex couples with equal rights and responsibilities as heterosexual...  Full Text

Urgent Memorandum to Supportive Liberal MPs
March 30, 2000
I am writing to you today with a special plea. As one of the Liberal MPs who we know is deeply committed to equality issues, EGALE seeks your help in redressing a serious inequality.  Full Text

Amendment introduced to Bill C-23
March 22, 2000
This afternoon, at Committee hearings on Bill C-23, the Government introduced an amendment to insert, as the very first clause in the Bill, an explicit definition that marriage is restricted to opposite-sex couples only. EGALE unequivocally opposes...  Full Text | TXT File

Bill C-23 and Conjugal Relationships
March 22, 2000
Some MPs have expressed concern at Bill-23’s use of the word “conjugal” to identify common law partners, and sought clarity around the criteria for identifying a conjugal relationship.  Full Text

Bill C-23: No Marriage Amendment
March 22, 2000
In Bill C-23, the Government has gone to great lengths to address matters of government policy in a non-discriminatory way. The Government has specifically made those policy amendments necessary to bring federal laws into conformity with the Charter of...  Full Text

EGALE Denounces Anti-Marriage Proposals as Justice Committee Concludes Consideration of Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation
March 22, 2000
The omnibus Bill to recognize same-sex relationships will be given clause-by-clause consideration by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights this afternoon. EGALE, the national organization committed to equality and justice for lesbians,...  Full Text

EGALE Submissions To The House Of Commons Standing Committee On Justice And Human Rights
March 6, 2000
EGALE welcomes the introduction of Bill C-23, and encourages the Committee to approve it without substantive amendments to the current approach.  Full Text | In French

EGALE to Appear before Justice Committee on Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation
March 1, 2000
EGALE, the national organization advancing equality for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people, will testify tomorrow before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.  Full Text

Support Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation
February 16, 2000
We are concerned that calls to the Government opposing Bill C-23 are vastly outnumbering calls in support. I recognize that many members of our communities consider the passage of this Bill a 'fait accompli' and may be assuming that no action is needed...  Full Text

The Impact of Federal Omnibus Legislation
February 11, 2000
Some of the most significant areas affected by the Modernizing Benefits and Obligations Bill include:  Full Text | In French

Support Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation
February 11, 2000
EGALE welcomes the introduction by Parliament of the Modernizing Benefits and Obligations Bill. The Bill extends to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples the status of 'common law partners/conjoints de fait' throughout federal law.  Full Text | In French

Analysis of The Modernizing Benefits and Obligations Bill
February 11, 2000
This Bill simultaneously extends to same-sex couples the rights and responsibilities of opposite-sex common-law couples, while also conferring on common-law couples (both same-sex and opposite-sex) many of the rights and responsibilities of married...  Full Text

Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation Significant Step Towards Full Legal Equality for Gays and Lesbians
February 11, 2000
The national equality rights organization EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere) welcomed today the introduction by Parliament of the Modernizing Benefits and Obligations Bill. The Bill extends to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples the...  Full Text | In French

EGALE and FEF to Respond to Introduction of Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation
February 10, 2000
The Government of Canada will introduce tomorrow a Bill entitled “An Act to modernize the Statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations”, expected to provide equal treatment to those in same-sex relationships....  Full Text

Egale to Respond to Introduction of Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation
February 10, 2000
The Government of Canada will introduce tomorrow a Bill entitled “An Act to modernize the Statutes of Canada in relation to benefits and obligations”, expected to provide equal treatment to those in same-sex relationships....  Full Text

Same-Sex Legislation is Expected this Week
February 8, 2000
OTTAWA—Sweeping legislation to extend legal rights to tens of thousands of same-sex couples across Canada will be introduced in Parliament this week, The Star has learned.  Full Text

Equality for Same-Sex Relationships
February 4, 2000
EGALE and Foundation for Equal Families to Present 6,500 Postcards to the Hon. Hedy Fry, PC, MP, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)  Full Text

Ottawa to Enshrine Same-Sex Rights
January 20, 1999
Ottawa—The federal government is planning sweeping changes to dozens of pieces of legislation to extend equal rights to same-sex couples.  Full Text