With Three Court Rulings, Gay Marriage About To Be Legal In Canada

Courts in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia have said the current common-law definition of marriage as "the union of one man and one woman" unjustifiably violates equality rights.

Most recently, the B.C. Court of Appeal unanimously ruled on May 1 that the federal government should reflect changing times and legally recognize same-sex marriage.

Ottawa is appealing the Ontario and Quebec judgments, but has not decided whether to ask the Supreme Court of Canada to review the B.C. appeal court ruling.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon concedes he's faced with three rulings "going exactly in the very same direction."

Still, the federal government will continue fighting in court - for now, he said after the latest judgment.

A survey last fall of 1,200 people showed 48 per cent supported same-sex marriage, while 43 per cent were against. The survey showed more support for the concept among younger people.

Older adults are more than twice as likely to vote in elections, so politicians must weigh the issue carefully, he added.

The stroke of midnight July 12, 2004. That's the deadline by which Ottawa has been court-ordered to change a law that bars same-sex couples from the altar.