7th Canadian Region Set To Approve Gay Marriage

[sonicx]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/12/121604nfldCourt.htm

(St John's, Newfoundland) Two lesbian couples seeking the right to marry in Canada's most eastern province have won the support of the federal government. For the first time the government will actively support a lawsuit by same-sex couples seeking the right to marry.

The move follows this months opinion by the Supreme Court of Canada that the federal government can go ahead with legislation that would legalize gay marriage across the country. (story)

The bill was prepared after Ottawa decided not to fight court rulings in Ontario and British Columbia that excluding same-sex couples from marrying was unconstitutional. It is expected to be introduced in the House of Commons in January. (story)

When it decided not to appeal the Ontario and BC court rulings the federal government decided not to intervene in similar cases in five other areas of the country, but this is the first time it has said it will support a court challenge by a same-sex couple .

The Newfoundland case will be heard on Monday.

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