Politics
Tuesday December 7, 2004
See today's LifeSiteNews stories
Canadian Justice Minister says Gay "Marriage" could be Federal Law by January
Supreme Court and government in obvious rush to fast-track law change
OTTAWA, December 7, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Canadian federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said he would introduce same-sex "marriage" legislation "as soon as possible," when parliament resumes in the new year -- anticipating the fast-tracked Supreme Court ruling this Thursday will favour the government proposal.
"It is my intention to put it before the House as soon as we return in January," he said, in comments made to the Toronto Star Tuesday. "I want to move quickly, that's what I'm saying, and January is when I would move, as quickly as possible."
"We believe that the legislation will be sustained in the advisory opinion by the court," Cotler said, pointing to the activist court judgments in six provinces and one territory that have already made same-sex "marriage" legal. "So we are proceeding on that basis."
Cotler said he would emphasize the new bill as a priority for the house when parliament resumes: "I'm interposing it as a priority . . . As soon as we come back, as soon as it's reasonably possible when we return, I would put it in" the legislature, he said.
Parliament and most others had anticipated the decision would come down in March 2005, after the usual six-month period of deliberation the Supreme Court takes on major decisions. This Thursday's date has caught many off guard. The Star said that Cotler originally planned to table the bill next September.
Cotler said Liberal MPs would be allowed a free vote on the issue. However, analysts say that most, if not all members of the Liberal cabinet are expected to be under the usual intense pressure to vote in favour of government legislation, regardless of consciences. Bloc and NDP MPs are also expected to support the move.
Read Toronto Star coverage: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thes...
Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Canadian Government Indicates Religious Freedom Dependent on Supreme Court
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/dec/04120302.html
tv
Back to TopSHARE THIS STORY: E-mail Print Newsvine Digg Reddit Del.icio.us Facebook
Latest Headlines
- McCain Stresses Role as Maverick, War Vet, Makes Bipartisan Appeal in Acceptance Speech
- Foiled Again - Attempt to Paint Palin as Slashing Funds to Teen Moms Proven False
- EU Seeks Legal Means to Shut Up Eurosceptic Bloggers
- Comments on September 5, 2008 News
- Sarah Palin News Highlights 2
- Speaker Pelosi "in Opposition" to Church Teaching on Abortion: San Francisco Archbishop
- CRTC Nixes Christian Radio Proposals, Supports Porn TV
- BC Court Ruling Means only Pro-Abortion Information is Allowed Inside Bubble Zones
- One Month Till 16th Annual Catholic Week of Prayer and Fasting for Life - October 5-13, 2008
- "Anti-Catholic" Union Advocating Homosexual Agenda May Face Human Rights Commission
- Brazilian Health Minister Gives False Testimony in Eugenic Abortion Case
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Launches New Stem Cell Research and Anti-Abortion Ads
- N. Ireland Pro-life Group launches 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting to Stop Abortion Threat
- Ottawa Gears Up for 40 Days for Life Rally
Most Read this Week
- USCCB Delivers One Last Blow to "Catholic" Pelosi on Abortion Remarks
- Lawsuit: Young Pro-lifers Jailed, Shackled, Strip Searched for Peacefully Sharing Message
- Exclusive: Sources Reveal Internal Uproar over Vatican Conference Promoting Organ Donation
- British Government Chooses Hitler-Loving Abortion Movement Pioneer for Stamps
- Obama Launches Ad Campaign Attacking McCain for Pro-Life Policy
- Sarah Palin Delivers Gutsy Acceptance Speech
- Prominent Psychiatrist: "No Particular Need for Sex-Education"
- Potential Vice-President of the United States of America - Who is Sarah Palin?
- Scotland Bishops Oppose "Sexual Orientation Discrimination" Bill
- Brazilian Homeschoolers Score Surprise Victory in Showdown Against Government
MORE NEWS: 
LifeSiteNews.com Home Page Last 10 Days Archives Special Reports
Copyright © LifeSiteNews.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives License. You may republish this article or portions of it without request provided the content is not altered and it is clearly attributed to "LifeSiteNews.com". Any website publishing of complete or large portions of original LifeSiteNews articles MUST additionally include a live link to www.LifeSiteNews.com. The link is not required for excerpts. Republishing of articles on LifeSiteNews.com from other sources as noted is subject to the conditions of those sources.