Past News > Equal Marriage Debate
Equal Marriage Debate
Post date: January 31, 2005
A Call To Action from Yves Savoie ( FSA Executive Director, Aug. 2003 - Dec. 2006)
In February, Canada ’s federal government will table legislation legalizing same-sex marriage across the country. In the weeks leading up to the vote, there has been vigorous debate in the media around this issue.
In November 2003, Family Service Association of Toronto formally established its position on same-sex marriage. We believe that the right of same-sex partners to marry is embedded in the country’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As such, legal marriage – and nothing short of that – should be an option available to all same-sex couples, just as it is to all heterosexual couples.
Since 2002, equal marriage has been legalized in seven provinces and one territory. The courts in these provinces have each acknowledged that the traditional definition of marriage discriminates against gays and lesbians on the basis of their sexual orientation. Such discrimination clearly flies in the face of our country’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
It is time to right this wrong and give same-sex couples the opportunity to legally affirm their commitment to one another in every province and territory of our nation.
Many organizations, including large public-sector unions, certain religious bodies, ethno-racial associations and grassroots advocacy groups have embraced this position. They, like us, recognize that the upcoming parliamentary vote is a critical one. Opponents of equal marriage recognize this too and are vigorously lobbying for public support.
It is therefore critically important that the majority of Canadians, who according to many polls support equal marriage, let their Members of Parliament know where we stand on this issue. Through this website, we encourage all Canadians who believe in equal rights as a cornerstone of Canadian society to contact your MP.
TAKE ACTION: What you can do
- Send an e-mail to the Prime Minister and the leaders of the opposition parties (page no longer available)
- Send an e-mail message to your Member of Parliament (page no longer available)
- Recent newspaper articles about equal marriage
- Other related websites
