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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
OTTAWA
January, 2005
"SAME SEX" MARRIAGE
"The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) sees this issue as affirming
its support for a legal regime that observes and protects the basic human
rights of each and every citizen," says President Catharine Laidlaw-Sly.
NCWC members studied this issue last year and at their 112th Annual General
Meeting last May, voted in favour of the following statement of policy.
Ø that the National Council of Women of Canada, in recognition of the
diversity of belief in Canada, the human rights of all, the constitutional
forbidding of all forms of discrimination, and the importance of supporting
stable, loving families, adopt a policy in support of civil rights to
marriage;
Ø that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of
Canada to proceed with legislation to confirm the civil right of all to
enter into lawful union to the exclusion of all others, and continue to
affirm the right of individuals to select as well the blessing of the
religious community of their choice, and the right of such religious
institutions to offer or deny their blessings in accordance with their
particular traditions.
NCWC, Canada's oldest established federated organization working to improve
conditions of life for women, respects and honours Canada's Charter of
Rights and Freedoms. Members came to the conclusion that while the Charter
protects the rights of all faiths and religions, there is a clear obligation
on the Government of Canada to ensure that all civil rights are equally
available to all citizens. This is particularly necessary in the case of a
minority group.
NCWC urges the Government to proceed with this legislation.
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For further information:
Catharine Laidlaw-Sly, President
E-mail: ncwc@magma.ca
Muriel Smith, Justice & Legislation Convener
E-mail: muriel_smith@shaw.ca
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