Subsequent to this release, the legislation passed Third Reading in the BC Legislature and received Royal Assent on July 15, 1999.
The Government of British Columbia introduced yesterday the "Definition of Spouse Amendment Act", which will expand the definition of "spouse" in a number of key pieces of provincial legislation to include "a person who has lived and cohabited with another person, for a period of at least 2 years immediately before the other person’s death, in a marriage-like relationship, including a marriage-like relationship between persons of the same gender."
The expanded definition of spouse will ensure that same-sex couples are treated equally with opposite-sex couples in relation to wills, estates, inheritance and related laws. British Columbia law already provides for equality in areas such as same-sex adoption, spousal support and pension benefits. In introducing the legislation yesterday, BC Attorney General Ujjal Dosanjh said: "[T]his legislation is proof that this government is committed to supporting stable family relationships, whether they involve traditional families, common law families or same sex relationships. That support is essential in the healthy, thriving and diverse society that forms British Columbia." "All British Columbians deserve the same rights and benefits in life and in death," he added.
"This is a very welcome step forward, which brings British Columbia’s laws further into line with the constitutional guarantee of equality", said Dale Akerstrom, a B.C. Board Member of the national organization EGALE (Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere). "The B.C. Government has also committed itself to introducing omnibus legislation to recognize same-sex couples equally."
"Full credit for these significant changes is due to the many years of committed work by local activists and organizations," added Heather Kitching, another EGALE Board Member from B.C. "At the same time, we are disappointed that the Government of British Columbia has announced its intention to delay once again equal protection from discrimination for transgendered people. Each day that the government stalls on this amendment is another day that transpeople must endure discrimination with no means of recourse...making it impossible for many to simply live the ordinary lives that most people take for granted. We would hate to see all this positive work overshadowed by a lack of progress on the most basic rights of our transgendered brothers and sisters. Let us make British Columbia a province where human rights can be equally enjoyed by all people."
"Just last month, the Quebec National Assembly took similar action to British Columbia, unanimously passing omnibus legislation to treat those in same-sex relationships equally with common-law couples," said John Fisher, EGALE’s Executive Director. "The federal government is rapidly falling behind the courts and the rest of Canada in its commitment to equality. EGALE calls on the federal government to stop following and start showing some leadership by introducing omnibus legislation as soon as the House resumes in the Fall."
For further information:
Heather Kitching, Board Member, EGALE:604-253-2662
Dale Akerstrom, Board Member, EGALE:604-666-3605
John Fisher, Executive Director, EGALE:613-230-1043
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