June 18, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada's most populous province are satisfied with the existing definition of marriage, according to a poll by Leger Marketing published in Toronto Life. 49 per cent of respondents in Ontario support the law that allows same-sex marriage in the country, while 40 per cent disagree.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Canada's most populous province are satisfied with the existing definition of marriage, according to a poll by Leger Marketing published in Toronto Life. 49 per cent of respondents in Ontario support the law that allows same-sex marriage in the country, while 40 per cent disagree.

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." Only 21 per cent of respondents believe changing the definition of marriage in Canada should be one of the key priorities of the Conservative government.

Polling Data

I would like you to think about same-sex marriage--that is, marriage among gay couples and among lesbian couples. As you may know, it is legal for same-sex couples to get married in Canada. Overall, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this law?

Strongly support	27%
Somewhat support	22%
Somewhat oppose	10%
Strongly oppose	30%
Don't care / Ambivalent / None of my business	11%

And, as you may know, the Conservative federal government of prime minister Stephen Harper intends to hold a free vote in Parliament on the definition of marriage in an attempt to make it illegal for same-sex couples to get married in Canada in the future. Should this be a top priority, major priority, minor priority, or not a priority at all for the federal government?

Top priority	10%
Major priority	11%
Minor priority	31%
Not a priority at all	42%
Don't do it at all	2%
Don't care / Ambivalent / None of my business	2%
Don't know / Refused	2%

Source: Leger Marketing / Toronto Life
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Ontario adults, conducted from Mar. 8 to Mar. 15, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.