knn

What a ludicrous statement. Courts, judges, seven provinces and one territory -- representing 87% of the Canadian people have passed a same sex marriage law and all you can come up with is they are "all suffering from misplaced liberalism”. What a crock!

Huh! If civil marriages aren’t “religious”, how can they “reflect religious attitudes”? Perhaps you meant to say that civil marriages do NOT reflect any religious attitude." Not acknowledging something doesn't make it truth!

Yes, but isn't this simple fact so hard to get across to some people whose minds cannot accept logic! Civil marriage is performed by the state. Civil "union" is something in the minds of people who fear sharing a civil ceremony with anyone who is not exactly like themselves. Also known as intolerance.

Huh! Is that an opinion or a scientific fact! I'm sure there are many who think of themselves as more than "mayonnaise."

The reason being, as the supreme court stated: 1) "The opposite-sex requirement for marriage excludes same-sex couples, denying them access to the social institution of marriage and the value and worth of their unions that is bestowed by marriage." 2) "Same-sex couples can and do live in long-term, caring, loving and conjugal relationships – including those involving the rearing of children. Denying same-sex couples the choice of having their unions legally recognized as marriages perpetuates the view that they are not capable of forming intimate relationships of economic interdependence and thus same-sex relationships are not worthy of the same respect and recognition as opposite-sex relationships."

Yes, I am quoting Section 15(1) - - Canadian Charter of Rights Decisions Digest. I'm not arguing about the original wording of the Charter, merely stating the resulting intrepretation of that section over time and what it stands for. Nit piking over these facts is not going to add any further clarity to the issue.

Yes, you are wrong. Sexual orientation was deemed a prohibited ground for discrimination under the Charter, as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Egan decision of 1995.”

Hmmm. I thought that's what the government's bill is all about! Just doing their job.

<SIGH> Talk about dense. The answer is "the right for same sex couples to a civil marriage"!

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race; national or ethnic origin; colour; religion; gender; age; and mental or physical disability and sexual orientation. The Charter protects you from discrimination in actions taken by the Government of Canada, the government of any province or territory, and actions taken by government agencies, such as hospitals, schools, or Human Resource Centres. We are not talking about "religious" marriage here. We're talking about "civil marriage"; an act which falls directly under the jurisdiction of the government and which is suppose to reflect the human rights of ALL of its citizens, not just SOME of them!

Gee, I guessed that one. Now I wonder whatever gave me the impression that you were a "conservative" and Harper's kind of guy!

Probably a slap on the wrist and no donuts for a week.

By recent comments and actions by Stephen Harper, I'd say that his previous promise of his party having a "big tent" for all,... well, I think his "tent" just got a whole lot smaller!

Pourquoi pas? Votre question a déclaré une situation Américaine. The only reason I asked was your use of the phrase "don't ask, don't tell", which was a term used strictly by the U.S. armed forces and also your references to American civil rights in the 50/60's. Nothing personal, just curious.

The "don't ask, don't tell" debacle was a U.S. disaster. It was never in usage in Canada. Good heavens, no. The U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950/60's is ancient history. Canada settled that item a long time ago. Blacks were coming to Canada in the 1800's (the underground railroad) to escape U.S. slavery laws. Canada was light years ahead of the U.S. in settling that one as well as being ahead in other human rights issues. As for "gays will have to be separate but equal". WHY? Wait a week or so for when the legislation is passed. The "State" will be offering exactly that - equality in marriage. Your slant of this whole subject gives me the impression that you are an American. Am I right?

Some churches in Canada already have same sex marriages. Some do not. That is their perogative under the Charter Of Rights. But when it comes to secular marriage there can be no equivocation about the State allowing same sex marriage. As for civil "unions", forget it. It would not be "equal". Reminds one of the Americans who stated that blacks can have the "same rights" (as long as they don't mix the races together!) Canada is moving toward same sex marriage and I say it's about time. This nation has trampled on the rights of this minority for far too long.