(Angus Reid - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada are split over the concept of wedlock for gay and lesbian couples, according to a poll by Decima Research. 39 per cent of respondents support same-sex marriage, while 37 per cent disagree.

Over the past two years, the courts in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon have ruled to permit 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

Do you support or oppose same-sex marriage?

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.