Canadian Court Backs Same-sex Marriages

In a landmark opinion, Canada's supreme court said yesterday that proposed legislation allowing gay marriage is constitutional, but the government cannot force religious officials to perform unions against their beliefs.

The Liberal government had sought the court's opinion, which is strictly advisory. The legislation to allow gay marriage must still pass with a majority of the House of Commons. Judges in six provinces and one territory have already allowed same-sex marriage.

The prime minister, Paul Martin, said his government would introduce a bill shortly after Christmas. The federal Conservatives and even some Liberal lawmakers were expected to wage a bitter battle against the bill.

"For many Canadians and many parliamentarians this is a difficult issue involving personal and religious convictions and it represents a very significant change to a long-standing institution," Mr Martin said.

Public opinion in Canada is evenly divided on the matter.

Canada would join Belgium and the Netherlands in allowing gay marriage if the law was passed.

Also yesterday, New Zealand's parliament approved a bill recognising civil unions between gay and straight couples.