MOTION ON NOTICE

At the Council meeting of September 17, 2002, Councillor Louis submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair:

3. Support for Federal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages (File 3502)

WHEREAS, the people of Vancouver have been in the forefront of efforts to create a compassionate society which recognises the inherent dignity of all its members;

AND WHEREAS, in 1992, the British Columbia Human Rights Act was amended to make discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation illegal;

AND WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council and members from all parties participate in the annual Pride Day Parade in Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, in 1996, sexual orientation was included in the Canadian Human Rights Act;

AND WHEREAS, in 2000, the Federal government passed Bill C23 extending full benefits and obligations under federal jurisdiction to all same-sex relationships;

AND WHEREAS, in 2002, the Ontario Superior Court ruled unanimously that the definition of marriage as being exclusively between a man and a woman is unconstitutional and should be struck down;

AND WHEREAS, in July 2002, Toronto City Council passed a motion requesting the Prime Minister of Canada not to appeal the Ontario Superior Court ruling, and to allow marriages between persons of the same sex;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Vancouver City Council strongly urge the Prime Minister of Canada to direct the Attorney General's office not to pursue the appeal of the Ontario Superior Court ruling;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Vancouver City Council strongly requests the Prime Minister of Canada to take immediate steps to allow marriages between persons of the same sex.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver