Canadian Supreme Court Sets April 16 to Hear Homosexual ‘Marriage’ Arguments

OTTAWA, September 2, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Supreme Court of Canada has set April 16 as the tentative date to hear arguments on the Liberal Government’s reference on its homosexual ‘marriage’ legislation.  The hearing is scheduled for one day only and the court is set to give only ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers to the following questions:  1) if the proposed legislation complies with the Charter of Rights 2) if it is permitted by the Charter for the bill to say religious institutions cannot be forced to perform homosexual ‘weddings’  3) if the definition of marriage is the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government rather than the provinces   Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have requested intervenor status to present arguments before the Supreme Court on the reference case.  However, only Alberta is opposed to the legislation.  The whole issue of the reference case, however, may become a moot point depending on the decision of the Supreme Court on whether or not to grant leave to appeal the homosexual ‘marriage’ decision to the Interfaith Coalition and the Association for Marriage. That decision is expected in late September or early October.  See the Globe and Mail coverage:  https://canada.com/national/story.asp?id=0412E665-F798-4B9B-89DF-605670B3FEAD   See related LifeSite coverage:  Canada Homosexual Marriage Decision Appealed by Faith and Family Groups www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/jul/03070701.html