Under the proposals nearly 70 statutes will be changed, and tax rules, welfare benefits, pensions and citizenship will be applied to all common-law couples regardless of sex. The legislation follows a significant ruling by the Canadian Supreme Court last year, recognising the status of same-sex partners. The Canadian Justice Minister, Anne McLellan, said the bill was about fairness and tolerance, but did not mean gay people would be allowed to marry.
Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.
Every single statute that bears on marriage is being amended to include homosexual pairings Pro-family official Peter Stock Gay rights activists have welcomed the legislation. Opposition But Canada's main parliamentary opposition party is concerned that the legislation will further erode the institution of marriage. And conservative groups accused the government of being out of step with public opinion. They challenged the government's argument that the bill was not about marriage. Other critics of the proposals say the bill must be extended to all people who are dependent on each other, for example two sisters or brother and sister living together.