Same-sex marriages (SSM) in Saskatchewan, Canada
Menu
Commissioner refuses to marry same-sex couple.
Sponsored link.
Background:
During 2004-NOV, shortly after the Court of Queen's Bench legalized same-sex marriages in Saskatchewan, one of the plaintiff couples attempted to schedule a marriage ceremony with a provincial marriage commissioner. He refused to marry the couple, citing his religious beliefs which required him to discriminate against same-sex couples. This resulted in a complaint before the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal.
The tribunal ruled in favor of the couple, and ordered "... the Respondent cease contravening s.12 of the Code" that governs their duties.
The Respondent -- the marriage commissioner -- then sued the provincial government unsuccessfully.
The conflict between a small minority of marriage commissioners and same-sex couples seeking marriage was resolved when the province threatened to fire those commissioners who violated the code.
Topics covered in this section:
References used:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above
essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
- "Marriage by marriage commissioner," Section 31(b), Chapter M-4.1, An Act
respecting the Solemnization of Marriage," Saskatchewan status, at:
http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/
- "M.J. v. Nichols," Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal, 2008-MAY-23, at:
http://www.saskhrt.ca/
- "Marriage commissioner sues Saskatchewan government," Today's Family News,
2008-DEC-03
Site navigation:
Copyright © 2004 to 2011 by Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2004-OCT-11
Latest update: 2011-FEB-28
Author: B.A. Robinson
Sponsored link
|
Page Translator: