Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions

A Discussion Paper

November 2002

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Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions (PDF Version, 270 kb), PDF Help

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Table of Content

1. Message from the Minister
2. Seeking people's views
   1. A spectrum of viewpoints
   2. The current legal framework
   3. Religious and civil marriage
   4. Recent court decisions
   5. The role of Parliament and the courts
3. What are others doing?
   1. Within Canada
      • Quebec
      • Nova Scotia
      • Manitoba
      • Alberta
   2. Other Countries
4. What questions need to be decided in Canada?
5. Possible Approaches
   1. Marriage could remain an opposite-sex institution
   2. Marriage could be changed to also include same-sex couples
   3. With the cooperation of the provinces and territories, Parliament could leave marriage to the religions
6. How can you join the debate?
7. Endnotes

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