Canada has become the third country to legalise gay marriage, as parliament passed landmark legislation allowing same-sex civil unions, despite strong opposition from conservatives and religious leaders.

Although gay marriage is already legal in seven provinces, the bill now grants all same-sex couples in Canada the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples.

Go Canada!

The legislation, drafted by Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority Liberal Party Government, was expected to pass easily through the Liberal-dominated Senate and become federal law by the end of July

"We are a nation of minorities," Mr Martin said. "And in a nation of minorities, it is important that you don't cherry-pick rights. A right is a right and that is what this vote tonight is all about."

"This is a victory for Canadian values," said Alex Munter, national co-ordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage, a group that has led the debate for the legislation.

Mr Martin, a Catholic, has said that despite anyone's personal beliefs, all Canadians should be granted the same rights to marriage.

Posted by Bryan Harding

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 11:16 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.