June 17, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Jun. 17, 2003 - A provincial court ruling that enables homosexual couples to marry has been received mostly with support from Canadians, according to a poll by the Centre for Research and Information. 53.3 per cent of respondents agree with the decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal.

(CPOD) Jun. 17, 2003 - A provincial court ruling that enables homosexual couples to marry has been received mostly with support from Canadians, according to a poll by the Centre for Research and Information. 53.3 per cent of respondents agree with the decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal.

The courts of British Columbia and Quebec had previously ruled that current laws regarding same-sex marriages are a violation to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The impact of the Ontario decision throughout the rest of the country is being debated in the House of Commons.

Nova Scotians have the highest approval for the ruling, with 62 per cent, while more than half of respondents in Saskatchewan and Alberta disagree with the court.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with homosexuals being allowed to marry?

	Agree	Disagree
Newfoundland	56%	36%
Prince Edward Island	54%	39%
Nova Scotia	62%	35%
New Brunswick	52%	41%
Quebec	58%	36%
Ontario	52%	44%
Manitoba	58%	38%
Saskatchewan	40%	52%
Alberta	44%	53%
British Columbia	57%	39%
Canada Average	53.3%	41.3%

Source: Centre for Research and Information on Canada
Methodology: Interviews to 2,939 Canadian adults, conducted in June 2003. No margin of error was provided.