2nd Session, 36th Parliament,
48-49 Elizabeth II, 1999-2000

The House of Commons of Canada

BILL C-460

An Act to amend the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act in order to protect the legal definition of marriage by invoking section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Preamble

Whereas marriage, as defined between one man and one woman, has from time immemorial been firmly grounded in our legal tradition, one that is itself a reflection of long standing community values;

Whereas the preservation of marriage as an institution is a matter of deep public concern and interest to the Canadian public, for it is the foundation of family and society;

Whereas the solemnization of marriage honours these principles;

And Whereas the people of Canada wish to provide and protect a legal definition of marriage that will not be challenged in the courts under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;

Now, Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Marriage (Prohibited Degrees) Act

1. The long title of the Marriage (Prohib ited Degrees) Act is replaced by the follow ing:

An Act respecting and protecting marriage in Canada

2. Section 1 of the Act is replaced by the following:

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Canada Marriage Act.

3. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 1:

Definition

1.1 In this Act, ``marriage'' means a legal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife.

4. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 4:

Use in other enactments

4.1 Where the word ``marriage'' is used in an enactment, it has the same meaning given by section 1.1.

Express declaration of exception

4.2 The definition of ``marriage'' in section 1.1 operates notwithstanding sections 2, 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.