OTTAWA, July 29, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Pro-family and religious groups breathed a sigh of relief today as the federal Justice Minister announced that Ottawa would appeal the Ontario Superior Court decision in favour of homosexual marriage. Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, explained the decision saying: “there are important reasons why we as a society must consider carefully the issues around changing the fundamental nature of marriage and what the implications of such a change might be. At present, there is no consensus, either from the courts or among Canadians, on whether or how the laws require change.” The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), a member of the Interfaith Coalition which fought against homosexual marriage in the case, said it applauds the decision to appeal. “The Ontario Divisional Court is the first court in the world to rule that the definition of marriage offends human rights,” said Janet Epp Buckingham, general legal counsel for the EFC. “It would have been cavalier for the federal government not to appeal the Ontario ruling.
See the Justice Dept. release announcing the appeal: https://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2002/doc_30624.html