Press Release

April 11, 2000

Third Reading Vote Today on Omnibus Same-Sex Legislation

At 5:30 p.m. today, the House of Commons will vote at third reading on Bill C-23, the Modernizing Benefits and Obligations Act. The Bill amends 68 federal statutes to provide same-sex couples with equal rights and responsibilities as heterosexual married couples. If adopted at third reading, the Bill will proceed to the Senate.

[addendum: Bill C-23 has now passed the House of Commons and is on its way to the Senate]

"The expected adoption of Bill C-23 by the House of Commons today is a bittersweet victory," said John Fisher, Executive Director of EGALE, the national organization committed to advancing equality for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. "There is no question that the Liberal Government’s shameless last-minute introduction into the Bill of an exclusionary definition of ‘marriage’ taints the message of equality and acceptance which the Bill would otherwise have provided. At the same time, Bill C-23 goes through all federal laws and extends to both same-sex and opposite-sex common-law couples all the rights and responsibilities of heterosexual married couples. In this regard, the Bill represents a significant step forward. EGALE will now carry the fight for equality onto the Senate."

"Across Canada, Courts and governments are recognizing the rights of lesbians, gays and bisexuals to equal treatment," added Fisher. "The new Immigration legislation introduced last Thursday will also extend the ‘family class’ provisions of the Immigration Act to include same-sex couples. These changes are part of a nation-wide acceptance that our relationships must be treated with equal dignity and respect, and there can be no turning back the clock. Although governments all too often undermine the message of equality through political compromise, EGALE will continue its efforts to see full equality for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people celebrated as an inherent right."

For further information:
John Fisher, Executive Director: 613-230-1043

Egale Canada ©2010

Advancing equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified people and their families across Canada