(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada believe the legislation that allows gay and lesbian partners to get married should be maintained by the next government, according to a poll by The Strategic Counsel released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 55 per cent of respondents believe Bill C-38 should stand, while 39 per cent would repeal it.

Over the past two years, the courts in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, and Newfoundland and Labrador have ruled to permit legal same-sex marriages. In December 2004, 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.

On Jun. 28, the House of Commons passed the bill that legalizes same-sex marriage in the entire country after a 158-133 vote. Most Liberal, Bloc Québécois and New Democratic Party (NDP) members supported the legislation. The bill is expected to be ratified in the Senate this month, where 64 of the 96 appointed members are Liberals.

On Jun. 29, Canadian prime minister Paul Martin explained his government's rationale on same-sex marriage, saying, "In a country of minorities, it is crucial that the rights of the minorities be protected and that they not be subject of political whim." Conservative leader Stephen Harper—who had vowed to "promote the traditional definition of marriage"—declared, "I think it will be an issue to come to Canadians in the next election and there will be a chance to revisit this in a future Parliament. (...) My views haven't changed because Mr. Martin made a deal with the Bloc."

Polling Data

Do you think Bill C-38 should stand or be repealed by the next government?

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