Ottawa, July 4, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The CBC reported yesterday that the federal government will present draft legislation on same-sex marriage next week, conveniently at a time when the House is in summer recess. The Prime Minister is expected to sign off on the bill and then Justice Minister Martin Cauchon will send the bill to the Supreme Court of Canada. The CBC report said Couchon will ask the court to answer three constitutional questions: * Whether defining marriage falls under the exclusive authority of Parliament * Whether the proposed definition to include same-sex marriage conforms to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms * Whether the proposed law goes far enough in respecting freedoms of conscience and religion as set out in the Charter” The earliest that the case could be heard by the Supreme Court is October.
Meanwhile, REAL Women of Canada has announced that it will join with other members of the Association for Marriage and the Family in Ontario to announce the coalition’s plans to take action in response to the recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision to redefine marriage and the federal government’s subsequent failure to appeal the decision. The announcement will take place this Monday, July 7, 2003 at 11.00 am. In the Charles Lynch Press Room (130-S) at the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. Contact persons are C. Gwendolyn Landolt, National Vice President at (905) 731-5425, 889-1993 or Dianne Watts at (613) 236-4001.