Same-sex marriage in Nunavut

  Same-sex marriage in Canada
Legal
Civil Marriage Act
Reference re Same-Sex Marriage
Parliament
38th House · 38th Senate
39th House · 39th Senate
Same-sex marriage by province
NU
Related
Civil unions in Quebec
Adult interdependent relationship in Alberta
Domestic partnership in Nova Scotia
Common-law relationships in Manitoba

Nunavut Territory began granting marriage licences to same-sex couples upon the passage of the federal Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005.[1]

On 30 October 2003, Premier Paul Okalik made the following statement:

"If developments in the Parliament of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada result in the definition of marriage being broadened, we will respect the law and comply with that. In the meantime, anyone in Nunavut who has been legally married anywhere will be recognized by the Government of Nunavut as married."

He further suggested that the territory would perform same-sex divorces should the issue arise.

Premier Okalik succeeded in passing a territorial human rights code banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. As well, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal MP for the riding of Nunavut, was re-elected in the 2006 election after having supported same-sex marriage.

During the March, 2004 general election in Nunavut, one of Premier Okalik's main opponents ran on the basis that he would repeal the territory's human rights legislation on sexual orientation, and would not recognize same-sex marriages.

References

  1. ^ "Nunavut will recognize same-sex marriages" (in English). Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples. 7 November 2003. Archived from the original on 10 March 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5x5htu4Rf. Retrieved 10 March 2011. 

External links