Saskatchewan to allow same-sex marriages

Globe and Mail ^ | Nov 5, 2004 | Darren Yourk

[Ahriman]

Saskatchewan has become the seventh Canadian jurisdiction to allow same-sex marriages.

Madam Justice Donna Wilson of the Court of Queen's Bench ruled Friday that the traditional definition of marriage, as it currently exists, discriminates against gay and lesbian couples.

Five couples who were denied marriage licences because they were not of the opposite sex filed a statement of claim seeking a declaratory judgment that the common-law definition of marriage be changed.

The group wanted the definition changed to read "two people to the exclusion of others," rather than "two people of the opposite sex."

"The judge found that it is unconstitutional to exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage and changed the law to include them," said Greg Walen of Saskatoon law firm Scharfstein Gibbings Walen & Fisher, who represents the couples. "The judge agreed with the Ontario Court of Appeal that 'the dignity of persons in same-sex relationships is violated by the exclusion of same-sex couples from the institution of marriage.'"

[pypo]

I bet Big Foot is happy about that idea.

[txkev]

They also allow marriage to moose and polar bears!

[Choose Ye This Day]

So perhaps we will soon see a mass exodus of disgruntled lefties and same-sexers heading to the Great Gay North?

[Choose Ye This Day]

A moose once but my sister...never mind.

[Rutles4Ever]

Canada can pass all the pro-gay, pro-abortion, pro-big goverment legislation they want. The more they can recruit out of our country, the better.

[billhilly]

This must explain all of those Canadian Immigration web site hits that DRUDGE reported on. Oh happy days.

[Alberta's Child]

If that were to occur, then at least somebody would be moving to Saskatchewan. Canadians are fleeing that province like there was some kind of imminent natural disaster up there.

[rhombus]

Why? Because the judge says so so shut up. Judicial fiat trumps again.

[muawiyah]

But did you see just how bigoted that narrowminded prig of a judge is when it comes to "just 2" ~ what about 3, or 4, or the sheikh and his 30 wives?

These Canadians are far too smug for true Liberalism to have a chance aren't they?!

[jwalsh07]

"The judge found that it is unconstitutional to exclude same-sex couples from civil marriage and changed the law to include them," said Greg Walen of Saskatoon law firm Scharfstein Gibbings Walen & Fisher, who represents the couples.

Poof, new law!

[nhoward14]

Mayne this ruling was the natural disaster they were fearing?

[-=[_Super_Secret_Agent_]=-]

saskatchewan's population is somewhere near Edmonton's population.

[-=[_Super_Secret_Agent_]=-]

no. Saskatchewan is a NDP province. Go figure.

[Alberta's Child]

I see a great business opportunity up there -- wanna get in on this?

I'm going to open a plan in Saskatoon that manufactures bicycles with no seats on them.

[Alberta's Child]

Make that a plant in Saskatoon.

[what's up]

become the seventh Canadian jurisdiction to allow same-sex marriages.

Is this the same as seventh province?

[Spacetrucker]

...And in breaking news, Bob and Doug MacKenzie have moved to Saskatchewan to apply for marriage license.
Seriously, they will rot in their own filth. The liberal judges up there have a much easier time legislating from the bench than down here; Massachusetts the exception.

[RonF]

Can anybody tell me how the Canadian judicial system works? Is there an appeal from this decision (how can one justice make a decision like this without the availability of an appeal from a higher level) at the provincial level? Is there an appeal from this at an overall Canadian Federal level? What recourse do the Provincial or Federal Legislatures have? What recourse does the electorate have?

[tenthirteen]

Saskatchewan has now officially become SaskatchaWANG!