(Angus Reid - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Atlantic Canada are opposed to the concept of wedlock for gay and lesbian couples, according to a poll by Corporate Research Associates. 50 per cent of respondents are opposed to legalizing same-sex marriage in their province, while 43 per cent disagree.

Support for same-sex marriage was highest in Nova Scotia at 46 per cent, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador with 44 per cent, Prince Edward Island at 42 per cent and New Brunswick with 38 per cent.

Over the past two years, the courts in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon have ruled to allow legal same-sex marriages.

On Dec. 9, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of allowing the federal government to go ahead with a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage. The country's foremost tribunal said the constitution protects the rights of homosexual partners to formalize their bonds.

Justice minister Irwin Cotler said the government would introduce legislation on same-sex marriage in January 2005. Prime minister Paul Martin has guaranteed Liberal party members a "free vote" on the bill. The governing Liberals currently control 134 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons.

Polling Data

All things considered, do you completely support, mostly support, mostly oppose, or completely oppose same-sex marriages being legalized in your province?

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