Canada set to vote on marriage definition amid protests News
Canada set to vote on marriage definition amid protests

[JURIST] The Canadian Parliament will vote Tuesday on opposition-proposed amendment to Bill C-38 [text of the bill in English and French], the federal legislation that would extend civil marriage to same sex couples. The amendment introduced by federal Conservative party leader Stephen Harper [official profile] would reverse the intent of the bill by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Thousands protested against same sex marriage on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Saturday, cheering as Harper vowed to support the traditional definition of marriage. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin drafted Bill C-38 following court rulings in many provinces holding that prohibiting gay couples from marrying violates their equality rights. CBC News has more.