Tendo City

Yay, supreme court

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/...41209.html

Quote:Supreme Court OK's same-sex marriage
Last Updated Thu, 09 Dec 2004 17:17:47 EST

OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada says the federal government can change the definition of marriage, giving gays and lesbians the legal right to marry.

In a non-binding opinion released Thursday morning, the court reaffirmed religious freedoms under the Charter, saying religious officials opposed to same-sex marriages do not have to perform them.
It declined to answer a fourth question added by Paul Martin when he became prime minister: whether the current definition of marriage as a man and a woman was unconstitutional.

But the court said that by failing to appeal a number of lower court rulings that said excluding gays from marriage was discriminatory, the federal government had already accepted that position.

"The government has clearly accepted these decisions and adopted this position as its own," the court wrote.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said the court's decision to "punt" the issue back to Parliament was not what the prime minister expected, and fell in line with the Tory position.

The court rejected the argument that the traditional definition of marriage is rooted in history, saying times have changed.

"Several centuries ago it would have been understood that marriage should be available only to opposite-sex couples. The recognition of same-sex marriage in several Canadian jurisdictions as well as two European countries belies the assertion that the same is true today," wrote the court.

"I feel it is a clear green light in favour of equal marriage," said Martha McCarthy, a lawyer for same-sex couples.

Groups opposed to same-sex marriage reacted swiftly, as Gwen Landolt with Real Women and Catholic Civil Rights League member Richard Bastien called for a referendum on the issue. Landolt says the traditional definition of marriage should be enshrined in the constitution.

Prime Minister Paul Martin said he would introduce the bill to Parliament in January.

Martin has asked MPs to support the bill, but has also told them it will be a free vote.

The Liberals hold a thin minority government, with 134 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons, but should have the support of most or all of the 19 New Democrat MPs and 54 Bloc Québécois MPs.

NDP Leader Jack Layton has said his caucus will vote in favour of the bill, while Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, whose party is split on the issue, says it will be a free vote.

If passed, Canada would join Belgium and the Netherlands in making gay marriage legal nationwide.

Chrétien sent bill to court

Former prime minister Jean Chrétien sent the issue to the Supreme Court following a June 2003 ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal allowing same-sex unions.

Ottawa has proposed changing the definition of marriage to the "lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others" rather than the "lawful union of one man and one woman."

Before taking it to Parliament, Chrétien referred the proposed bill to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to offer a non-binding opinion on three questions, including whether the government could redefine marriage, whether it supported the Charter of Rights and whether church groups had to perform the ceremonies.

When he became prime minister one year ago, Paul Martin added a fourth question: whether limiting marriage to a man and a woman was unconstitutional.

Along with Ontario, court rulings have now made same-sex marriage legal in British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and the Yukon.

Written by CBC News Online staff

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/...41209.html

Quote:Liberals to introduce same-sex marriage bill in January
Last Updated Thu, 09 Dec 2004 21:40:37 EST

OTTAWA - The Liberal government will introduce legislation to legalize same-sex marriage when Parliament resumes sitting in January, Prime Minister Paul Martin said Thursday.

In an opinion released earlier in the day, nine Supreme Court judges asked to review draft legislation extending marriage rights to gays and lesbians said such a move would be constitutional

That legal opinion clears the way for the Liberal government to introduce a bill early in the new year.

Liberal MPs will be free to vote their conscience on the bill, but cabinet ministers will be required to vote in favour of it, said Martin.

The prime minister urged members of all parties to carefully consider the issue before voting, saying the proposed legislation will ensure the "equal treatment of all Canadians."

He acknowledged the issue is divisive, but said Canadians can handle the debate.

"I think this will engender a debate across the country," said Martin. "We are a very mature nation and can undertake the debate."

Canada is the "world's most post-modern country" and can take the lead in this issue, he said.

Martin's Liberal minority government holds 134 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons, but should have the support of most of the 19 New Democrat MPs and 54 Bloc Québécois MPs.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler says he expects a "significant majority" of members will support the bill because it backs two key points of the Charter, equality rights and freedom of religion.

As part of Thursday's decision, the court said religious groups opposed to same-sex marriages won't be compelled to perform them.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, who called the court's opinion a "victory for Canadian democracy," says he's pleased the courts "punted this issue back to Parliament."

Harper said the Supreme Court supports his party's policy because it also declined to express an opinion on whether the traditional definition of marriage is unconstitutional.

The Conservative leader says he'd like the government to introduce a compromise bill to Parliament that would preserve the traditional definition of marriage in law and include stronger protections of religious freedoms.

Can't use notwithstanding clause, Alberta Justice Minister says

Alberta's Justice Minister said his government, which opposes same sex marriage, will have to weigh its options in the wake of the ruling. But Ron Stevens said they need to be realistic, adding that the decision has restricted their ability to defend marriage.

Stevens said the government does not have the option of imposing the Constitution's notwithstanding clause.

"Since the court ruled the authority over same-sex marriage falls to the federal government, it is only the federal government who can invoke the notwithstanding clause to maintain the traditional definition of marriage."

He said the Alberta Tory caucus must now meet to discuss the province's next move.

"There are legal options, but I'm going to share them with my colleagues first. I'm not going to stand here today and talk about what-ifs," he said.

Stevens said his government's position is not aimed at discriminating against gays and lesbians, but "upholding the definition of marriage as it is traditionally understood by society."

Four years ago, Alberta passed a law stating marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Stevens said despite the Supreme Court ruling that law stands and marriage licences will not be granted to same-sex couples.

Written by CBC News Online staff

:love: :gay2: :kiss: :clap:

I am curious to see the difference in devource rate , One couple has already been legaly devourced.

Oh no! One! End of the world! ...

I am sure that at worst it'll equal the rate for heterosexual couples.

We're all going to hell!!!11!!

In a handbasket!?!!?!!!!1!!$!$*)!%!!! *doesn't really care what Canada does* They even call their money "loonies* for goodness sake!!

Haha, that'd be awesome if we called our money that.

We need to call our currence "moneys", a la Invader Zim.

No morons, only our one dollar coin is called a loonie, because of the loon pictured on it. Also, our two dollar coin is called a toonie, just because it rymes with loonie, I guess.

...


You people are weird.

A "toonie"? Are you friggen kidding me? That's the craziest thing ever! Well...except for that Doom comic. Man, that thing was insane.

Yeah, everyone knows that a toon is a MMORPG character!

Canada sounds hilarious. I oughta visit someday.

You know it!

I heard they sacrafice people to their heathen gods every Christmas day in their igloos.

confirm/ deny

I heard that too! I also heard that they have pet polar bears and they use them to hunt pirates...

It's so cute when Canada pretends to be a real nation!

Great Rumbler Wrote:I heard that too! I also heard that they have pet polar bears and they use them to hunt pirates...

Don't be foolish. Everyone knows pirates are extinct.

Canada doesn't.

Ryan Wrote:It's so cute when Canada pretends to be a real nation!

lol, you sure owned me and my nation.

At least terrorists think we're important enough to attack. :p Oh, by the way...*punches Fittisize for making fun of 9-11*

Yeah, you can't make fun of 9-11, that's just not cool.

Fittisize Wrote:lol, you sure owned me and my nation.

lol image macro lol

Fittisize Wrote:lol, you sure owned me and my nation.

I sure did.

Do you want me to keep you up to date on how the Washington Nationals play?

Quote:At least terrorists think we're important enough to attack. :p Oh, by the way...*punches Fittisize for making fun of 9-11*

Well I guess if nothing else, at least you the terrorists on your side. I hope they go after the Sears tower next...I'd bet you'd feel mighty important then! *is momentarily phazed by GR's weak punch, then hits him in the balls* Works everytime.

Ryan Wrote:Do you want me to keep you up to date on how the Washington Nationals play?

Sure.

Quote:Well I guess if nothing else, at least you the terrorists on your side. I hope they go after the Sears tower next...I'd bet you'd feel mighty important then! *is momentarily phazed by GR's weak punch, then hits him in the balls* Works everytime.

Wow, if I wasn't against unnecessary violence I'd come over there to Canadadada and beat you up...actually...I suppose it wouldn't be unnecessary at all. *comes over to Canada and beats up Fittisize* And as for that punch...you were punching two bowling balls that were just sitting there on the ground, not sure why you were doing that... *feels a USA vs. Canada flamewar beginning*

Wow that was really in bad taste, fittisize.

:nono:

Fittisize, that was really low. Not funny.

This is funny:



That wasn't. There are some punches better left held.

That's not funny either...

Well I'm not sorry. People can say that USA is the world's greatest nation, that Canada isn't a real country, serves no purpose, has no say in global affairs etc. etc. etc. (all of which have been said on this board, all of which are not true). The fact remains that Canada is not a nation at war, is not currently "at significant risk of terrorist attacks", did not have our greatest city attacked, and is not, nor will we ever, be scared of a 6'7'', 145 lbs. man on dialysis. The United States was collectively "owned" by Bin Laden on that fateful September morning, and has come out more arrogant than ever. I feel bad for all of the lives lost due to the terrorist attacks. I sincerely do. But that shouldn't stop me from expressing my opinions, if only in the form of yet another "owned" picture, on how I feel about the nation of America (specifically, some of the Americans on this board). The "owned" pic was the simplest way to garner a reaction and set up a platform to voice some of my thoughts.

I don't care if you hate America, but making fun of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is laughing at the fact that 3000 innocent Americans, nay, human beings were slaughtered needlessly. If you truly felt bad for the victims, you'd have never posted that picture.

go show that pic in new york and see how long you live you sad little freak...

Uh, EM, that last post of his didn't look like it said that he hated America or that he didn't care that a lot of people died... yes, it's somewhat out of line maybe, but once explained it's not as bad.

And anyway, did anyone ever say that Fittisize is the most considerate person here? :)

Fittisize Wrote:Well I'm not sorry. People can say that USA is the world's greatest nation, that Canada isn't a real country, serves no purpose, has no say in global affairs etc. etc. etc. (all of which have been said on this board, all of which are not true). The fact remains that Canada is not a nation at war, is not currently "at significant risk of terrorist attacks", did not have our greatest city attacked, and is not, nor will we ever, be scared of a 6'7'', 145 lbs. man on dialysis. The United States was collectively "owned" by Bin Laden on that fateful September morning, and has come out more arrogant than ever. I feel bad for all of the lives lost due to the terrorist attacks. I sincerely do. But that shouldn't stop me from expressing my opinions, if only in the form of yet another "owned" picture, on how I feel about the nation of America (specifically, some of the Americans on this board). The "owned" pic was the simplest way to garner a reaction and set up a platform to voice some of my thoughts.

Dude, I didn't REALLY mean it. It's more like a big brother picking on a little brother. I'm poking fun at you, but we're still brothers. I love my nation, and I wouldn't live anywhere else by choice, but if I couldn't, Canada would definitely be my first choice.

Fittisize Wrote:Well I'm not sorry. People can say that USA is the world's greatest nation, that Canada isn't a real country, serves no purpose, has no say in global affairs etc. etc. etc. (all of which have been said on this board, all of which are not true). The fact remains that Canada is not a nation at war, is not currently "at significant risk of terrorist attacks", did not have our greatest city attacked, and is not, nor will we ever, be scared of a 6'7'', 145 lbs. man on dialysis. The United States was collectively "owned" by Bin Laden on that fateful September morning, and has come out more arrogant than ever. I feel bad for all of the lives lost due to the terrorist attacks. I sincerely do. But that shouldn't stop me from expressing my opinions, if only in the form of yet another "owned" picture, on how I feel about the nation of America (specifically, some of the Americans on this board). The "owned" pic was the simplest way to garner a reaction and set up a platform to voice some of my thoughts.

Osama Bin Laden isnt on dialysis , He looked in perfect health in the last recent video .

As for an attack on canada , Never say never , It waisnt long ago that we thought such a thing anywhere in north america was possible. Osama has bigger targets in mind , If we would be attacked it would be on the border like the bridge between michigan and ontario somthing that would hurt us both.

I cant blaim them for being a little offended by that picture ,Many people died including some canadians.

When ever someone from Canada calls all Amerikkkans fat, stupid rednecks maybe I should take it to heart and say something self damning and pretentious.

This internet stuff is serious business.

My Canadian "jokes" were tongue in cheek earlier. It's safe to say I've been (not cruelly) teased on the internet before for being American, and that having a bug up your ass about it is stupid.

A Black Falcon Wrote:That's not funny either...

ABF, I'm sorry to break this to you, but... you're not exactly the best person to say what is or isn't funny, you know what I'm saying? You don't know how to be funny or know what is generally considered as funny.

Undertow Wrote:When ever someone from Canada calls all Amerikkkans fat, stupid rednecks maybe I should take it to heart and say something self damning and pretentious.

This internet stuff is serious business.

My Canadian "jokes" were tongue in cheek earlier. It's safe to say I've been (not cruelly) teased on the internet before for being American, and that having a bug up your ass about it is stupid.

Notice you have three "K" when you spelled american !

Your a fucking racist!



LOL!

I have nothing against Canada, though I do sometimes joke around about it. It's a common thing around here, and I know that it's a common thing for Canadians to make fun of America. It's harmless fun, though it should not be taken to such an extreme where we're all calling each other worthless wastes of oxygen. But 9/11 is nothing that should be made into a joke. Ever. 3000 dead is not a laughing matter.

You DO know that it was actually more like 2600 and not 3000, right? Not that that's much less awful, but it's inaccurate...

:hmm:

I sincerely hope that none of you think my thoughts about the USA generated from this board alone, or from little jokes/stereotypes about Canadians ("eh" etc.). And I say "USA" in relation to the government and war-mongering of your president, which I am not pleased with, NOT the people.

Really, my skin is thick enough to take a few jokes.

alien space marine Wrote:Notice you have three "K" when you spelled american !

Your a fucking racist!



LOL!

Oh hey guys I found this .gif I hope you like it.

<img src="http://img150.exs.cx/img150/2285/funnycatladything1fx.gif">

A Black Falcon Wrote:You DO know that it was actually more like 2600 and not 3000, right? Not that that's much less awful, but it's inaccurate...

Well, maybe in the WTC alone, but there were 3000 victims on 9/11 altogether. Or, 2992, something like that. Anyway, there were a lot.

Undertow Wrote:Oh hey guys I found this .gif I hope you like it.

<img src="http://img150.exs.cx/img150/2285/funnycatladything1fx.gif">

Haha, that's disturbing.

I think it's also illegal in some states.

It's illegal to molest trash cans in Clinton, Oklahoma. In order to have such a law be proposed, let alone passed, I would figure that there was an offender at one point.

*shudders*

Maybe it's one of those things were people say "But what would we do if people went around molesting trash cans?" kind of thing.