Same-sex marriage in New Brunswick

Following a number of court rulings in other provinces and territories recognizing the right of same-sex couples to marry, New Brunswick's Justice Minister Brad Green announced in September 2004 that the Government of New Brunswick would not follow in the footsteps of Nova Scotia in issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. He argued that the definition is a federal matter, and the province would recognize only marriages between a man and a woman until the Federal Government came up with another definition (as it finally did with the Civil Marriage Act in 2005).

However, Premier Bernard Lord indicated that if and when the Federal Government passes such legislation, his Government would comply with it. He also indicated he would comply with a court ruling, even though he was personally opposed to same-sex marriage.

In April 2005, four same-sex couples filed a court challenge against the Government's policy of denying marriage licences to same-sex couples. The couples included prominent New Brunswick gay rights advocate Art Vautour-Toole and his husband Wayne Toole (who had married in Ontario), as well as Catherine Sidney and Bridget McGale and two other couples.[2]

On June 23 of that year, Judge Judy Clendenning of the Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick in Moncton ruled that the province's failure to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples was a violation of their Charter rights, in accordance with court rulings in other provinces.[3] She allowed a ten-day grace period to the Government, after which it had to begin issuing same-sex marriage licences. This was less than a month before Parliament made same-sex marriage legal throughout Canada.

The new licenses became available on July 4.[4]

In March 2007, the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick made amendments to the Family Services Act (French: Loi sur les services à la famille) by allowing joint adoption by "common-law partners", including same-sex couples.[5] The amendments took effect on 1 February 2008.[6]

In December 2008, amendments to the Marriage Act (French: Loi sur le mariage) and numerous other acts were made by striking out "husband and wife" and substituting "spouses".[7]

A 2017 CROP poll showed that 78% of the New Brunswick public supported same-sex marriage, 22% were opposed. Nationwide, 74% of Canadians were of the same view, while 26% disagreed.[8]

Wikinews has related news: Court legalizes same-sex marriage in New Brunswick

• "Same-sex marriage in New Brunswick, Canada". Religious Tolerance.