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Track global public opinion on current issues.
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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Ministers Can Shun Gay Marriage, Say Canadians
- Many adults in Canada believe religious officials should be allowed to steer clear from holding ceremonies for gay or lesbian partners, according to a poll by Compas Inc. published in the National Post. 58 per cent of respondents think individual ministers should definitely have the freedom not to marry a same-sex couple if this is against their beliefs.
In July 2005, Canada legalized same-sex marriage. The legislation covers civil ceremonies, and states that no members of the clergy would be forced to perform a same-sex wedding unless they so desire.
Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January. The Conservative party—led by Stephen Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. Since February, Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.
Harper has proposed holding a free vote on the issue in the House of Commons. If a proposal to revise the legislation gets enough support from sitting lawmakers, the government intends to introduce a bill to define marriage as the "union between a man and a woman."
Last month, Canada Family Action Coalition president Charles McVety explained his rationale for a change in the legislation, saying, "There was never true debate, true discussion. Why don't we simply study the impact of this bill on the age-old institution of marriage?"
Polling Data
Should an individual minister, rabbi, iman or other clergy have the freedom not to marry a same-sex couple if this were against the clergy's religious beliefs?
Definitely | 58% |
Probably | 14% |
Probably not | 9% |
Definitely not | 14% |
Not sure | 4% |
Source: Compas Inc. / National Post
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 502 adult Canadians, conducted from Oct. 18 to Oct. 27, 2006. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.