OTTAWA FAST TRACKS SAME-SEX “WIDOW” BENEFITS

OTTAWA, November 22, 2002 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The federal government is fast-tracking a legal battle over millions of dollars in benefits demanded by self-described same-sex “widows” and “widowers” by combining several cases into one federal suit. So far Ottawa is resisting the award, but the courts are expected to rule in favour of the homosexuals, once again likely using the always convenient Charter of Rights to bypass the democratic process.  Ottawa recently agreed to pay survivor benefits to homosexuals whose partners died in the last four years. George Hislop, a homosexual who “lost” his partner in 1986, and who is now aged 75, is suing on behalf of about 10,000 such self-described “widows and widowers” who have been told they’re not eligible to receive their partners’ pensions.  “We felt that our relationships were every bit as valid as anyone else’s, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms says that we’re all equal,” said Hislop, who compared his struggle for compensation to that of Merchant Navy veterans. However, 1,200 Canadians died serving in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War, a casualty rate of 1 in 10 in the service of their country.  For CBC coverage see:  https://www.cbc.ca/stories/2002/11/22/gay_benefits021122