Canada to become third nation to allow gay marriage

CANADA would become only the third country in the world to legalise gay marriage under landmark legislation passed in the House of Commons in spite of fierce opposition from Conservatives and religious leaders.

The bill would grant same-sex couples legal rights equal to those in traditional unions between a man and a woman, something already legal in a majority of Canadian provinces. The legislation drafted by Prime Minister Paul Martin’s minority Liberal Party government was also expected to easily pass the Senate and become federal law by the end of July.

The Netherlands and Belgium are the only other two nations that allow gay marriage nationwide.

Some of Mr Martin’s Liberal lawmakers voted against the bill, and a Cabinet minister resigned over the legislation. But enough allies rallied to support the bill that has been debated for months, voting 158 to 133 to approve it on Tuesday.

Mr Martin praised Tuesday’s vote as a necessary step for human rights.

“We are a nation of minorities,” he said. “And in a nation of minorities, it is important that you don’t cherry-pick rights.”

There are an estimated 34,000 gay and lesbian couples in Canada, according to government statistics.

Alex Munter, national spokesperson for Canadians for Equal Marriage was triumphant after the vote: “The genius of Canada, almost unparalleled in the world, is built on shared identity, out of respect for each other.”

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

The legislation states that the bill only covers civil unions, not religious ones, and no clergy would be forced to perform same-sex ceremonies unless they choose to do so.