Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions

The Civil Marriage Act, an Act respecting certain aspects of legal capacity for marriage for civil purposes, received royal assent on Wednesday, July 20, 2005.

Legislation (full text)

• Civil Marriage Act (An Act respecting certain aspects of legal capacity for marriage for civil purposes)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Civil Marriage Act, July 2005.

News releases

• Bill C-38 – The Civil Marriage Act – Receives Royal Assent, July 20, 2005.
• Government of Canada to Introduce Legislation to Extend Civil Marriage to Same-Sex Couples, February 1, 2005.
• Government of Canada Reaffirms its Position on Supreme Court Reference, January 28, 2004.
• Minister of Justice Announces Reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, July 17, 2003.
• Minister of Justice Makes Public a Discussion Paper on Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions, November 7, 2002.
• Minister Refers Question Of Marriage And Same-Sex Unions To Standing Committee, November 12, 2002.

Background Material

• Bill C-38 – the Civil Marriage Act : Open Letter from the Minister of Justice Concerning Alternative Approaches, May 12, 2005.
• Common Misconceptions: Bill C-38 – the Civil Marriage Act, April 12, 2005.
• Civil Marriage Act, February 2005.
• Factsheet: Reference to the Supreme Court of Canada on Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions – The New Reference Question, January 28, 2004.
• Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions – Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on the Marriage Reference, December 9, 2004.
• Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions, October 5, 2004.
• Civil Marriage and the Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions, January 28, 2004.
• Reference to the Supreme Court of Canada, July 17, 2003.
• Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions, November 7, 2002.

Supreme Court of Canada Reference

• Summary – Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on the Marriage Reference, December 15, 2004.
• Decision – Marriage Reference, December 9, 2004.
• Factum of the Attorney General of Canada, July 16, 2003.
• Supplementary Factum of the Attorney General of Canada, July 16, 2003.
• Reply Factum of the Attorney General of Canada, July 16, 2003.

Discussion Paper

• Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-sex Unions, November 2002.