1965
Everett Klippert acknowledges to police that he is gay, has had
sex with men over a 24-year period, and is unlikely to change. In
1967, Klippert is sent to prison indefinitely as a "dangerous sex
offender," a sentence which was backed up by the Supreme Court of
Canada that same year.
December 22, 1967
Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau proposes amendments to the Criminal
Code which, among other things, would relax the laws against homosexuality.
1969
Trudeau's amendments pass into the Criminal Code, decriminalizing
homosexuality in Canada.
July 20, 1971
Everett Klippert is released.
1978
Canada gets a new Immigration Act. Under the act, homosexuals are
removed from the list of inadmissible classes.
1979
The Canadian Human Rights Commission recommends in its Annual Report
that "sexual orientation" be added to the Canadian Human Rights
Act.
Feb. 5, 1981
More than 300 men are arrested following police raids at four gay
bath houses in Toronto, the largest mass arrest since the War Measures
Act was invoked during the October Crisis. The next night, about
3,000 people march in downtown Toronto to protest the arrests. This
is considered to be Canada's 'Stonewall.' (See world timeline for
the 1969 "Stonewall Riots" in the U.S.)
October 1985
The Parliamentary Committee on Equality Rights releases a report
titled "Equality for All." The committee writes that it is shocked
by the high level of discriminatory treatment of homosexuals in
Canada. The report discusses the harassment, violence, physical
abuse, psychological oppression and hate propaganda that homosexuals
live with. The committee recommends that the Canadian Human Rights
Act be changed to make it illegal to discriminate based on sexual
orientation.
In March 1986, the government responds to the report in a paper
titled "Toward Equality" in which it writes "the government will
take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that sexual orientation
is a prohibited ground of discrimination in relation to all areas
of federal jurisdiction."
1988
Svend Robinson, of the New Democratic Party, goes public about being
gay, becoming the first Member of Parliament to do so. Robinson
was first elected to the House of Commons in 1979. In 2000, the
B.C. riding of Burnaby-Douglas (though its borders have changed)
elected Robinson for the eighth time.
August 1992
In Haig and Birch v. Canada, the Ontario Court of Appeal rules that
the failure to include sexual orientation in the Canadian Human
Rights Act is discriminatory. Federal Justice Minister Kim Campbell
responds to the decision by announcing the government would take
the necessary steps to include sexual orientation in the Canadian
Human Rights Act.
November 1992
The federal court lifts the country's ban on homosexuals in the
military, allowing gays and lesbians to serve in the armed forces.
Dec. 9, 1992
As promised, Justice Minister Kim Campbell introduces Bill C-108
which would add "sexual orientation" to the Canadian Human Rights
Act. But the act, which would also restrict the definition of "marital
status" to opposite-sex couples, doesn't pass first reading.
On June 3, 1993, the Senate passes Bill S-15, another attempt at
adding "sexual orientation" to the Canadian Human Rights Act, but
the bill doesn't make it to the House of Commons because Parliament
is dissolved for the 1993 federal election.
1996
The federal government passes Bill C-33 which adds "sexual orientation"
to the Canadian Human Rights Act.
May 1999
The Supreme Court of Canada rules same-sex couples should have the
same benefits and obligations as opposite-sex common-law couples
and equal access to benefits from social programs to which they
contribute.
The ruling centred on the "M v. H" case which involved two Toronto
women who had lived together for more than a decade. When the couple
broke up in 1992, "M" sued "H" for spousal support under Ontario's
Family Law Act. The problem was that the act defined "spouse" as
either a married couple or "a man and woman" who are unmarried and
have lived together for no less than three years.
The judge rules that the definition violates the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms and declares that the words "a man and woman" should
be replaced with "two persons." "H" appeals the decision. The Court
of Appeal upholds the decision but gives Ontario one year to amend
its Family Law Act.
Although neither "M" nor "H" chooses to take the case any further,
Ontario's attorney general is granted leave to appeal the decision
of the Court of Appeal which brought the case to the Supreme Court
of Canada.
The Supreme Court rules that the Ontario Family Law Act's definition
of "spouse" as a person of the opposite sex is unconstitutional
as was any provincial law that denies equal benefits to same-sex
couples. Ontario is given six months to amend the act.
Feb. 11, 2000
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberals introduce Bill C-23,
the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, in response to
the Supreme Court's May 1999 ruling. The act would give same-sex
couples who have lived together for more than a year the same benefits
and obligations as common-law couples.
In March, Justice Minister Anne McLellan announces the bill will
include a definition of marriage as "the lawful union of one man
and one woman to the exclusion of all others."
On April 11, 2000, Parliament passes Bill C-23, with a vote of 174
to 72. The legislation gives same-sex couples the same social and
tax benefits as heterosexuals in common-law relationships.
In total, the bill affects 68 federal statutes relating to a wide
range of issues such as pension benefits, old age security, income
tax deductions, bankruptcy protection and the Criminal Code. The
definitions of "marriage" and "spouse" are left untouched but the
definition of "common-law relationship" is expanded to include same-sex
couples.
July 21, 2000
British Columbia's Attorney General Andrew Petter announces he will
ask the courts for guidance on whether Canada's ban on same-sex
marriages is constitutional, making his province the first to do
so. Toronto was the first Canadian city to ask for clarification
on the issue when it did so in May 2000.
May 10, 2002
Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert McKinnon rules that a gay
student has the right to take his boyfriend to the prom.
Earlier, the Durham Catholic District School Board said student
Marc Hall couldn't bring his 21-year-old boyfriend to the dance
at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic high school in Oshawa. Officials
acknowledge that Hall has the right to be gay, but said permitting
the date would send a message that the Church supports his "homosexual
lifestyle."
Hall went to the prom.
July 12, 2002
For the first time a Canadian court rules in favour of recognizing
same-sex marriages under the law. The Ontario Superior Court rules
that prohibiting gay couples from marrying is unconstitutional and
violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The court gives Ontario
two years to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.
As a result of the Ontario ruling, the Alberta government passes
a bill banning same-sex marriages and defines marriage as exclusively
between a man and a woman. The province says it will use the notwithstanding
clause to avoid recognizing same-sex marriages if Ottawa amends
the Marriage Act.
Also, a ruling against gay marriages is expected to be heard in
B.C. by the province's Court of Appeal in early 2003, and a judge
in Montreal is to rule on a similar case.
July 16, 2002
Ontario decides not to appeal the court ruling, saying only the
federal government can decide who can marry.
July 29, 2002
On July 29, the federal government announces it will seek leave
to appeal the Ontario court ruling "to seek further clarity on these
issues." Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon says in a news
release, "At present, there is no consensus, either from the courts
or among Canadians, on whether or how the laws require change."
Aug. 1, 2002
Toronto City Council passes a resolution calling the common-law
definition restricting marriage to opposite sex couples discriminatory.
June 10, 2003
The Ontario Court of Appeal upholds a lower court ruling to legally
allow same-sex marriages. "The existing common law definition of
marriage violates the couple's equality rights on the basis of sexual
orientation under (the charter)," read the decision. The judgment
follows the Ontario Divisional Court ruling on July 12, 2002.
Hours after the ruling, Michael Leshner and Michael Stark are married
in a ceremony in Toronto. Both men played a key role in the court
case.
June 11, 2003
Ontario attorney
general Norm Sterling announces that the province will obey the
law and register same-sex marriages. Nearly two dozen homosexual
couples applied for marriage licences in Ontario on June 10.
July 8, 2003
British Columbia becomes the second province to legalize same-sex
marriages. The British Columbia Court of Appeal lifts its ban on
same-sex marriages, giving couples in the province the right to
marry immediately. The decision alters a ruling that would have
made same-sex marriages legal, but not until July 2004. The court
had already agreed that the definition of marriage should be the
union of "two persons" rather than of "one man and one woman." Ontario
was the first province to recognize same-sex marriages as legal.
Aug. 13, 2003
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien vows not to let religious objections
alter his stand on same-sex marriage. He says members of Parliament
will be allowed to vote freely on the bill when it's introduced
in the House of Commons after his retirement in 2004. A significant
number of Liberal MPs say they do not support same-sex unions and
will vote against the legislation.
Aug.
14, 2003:
After extensive and emotional debate, the United Church of Canada
votes overwhelmingly to endorse same-sex marriages. The majority
of delegates at the church's general council meeting in Wolfville,
N.S., vote to ask Ottawa to recognize same-sex marriage in the same
way as heterosexual ones.
March 19, 2004
The Quebec Court of Appeal rules that homosexuals have the right
to marry, and that the traditional definition of marriage is discriminatory
and unjustified. The ruling upholds a lower-court decision and follows
similar decisions in Ontario and B.C.
Sept. 16, 2004:
A Manitoba judge ruling in the Court of Queen's Bench declares the
current definition of marriage "no longer constitutionally valid
in view of the provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
Neither federal nor provincial lawyers attempted to oppose the lawsuit
launched by three Manitoba couples. Officials in the province begin
issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples shortly thereafter.
Sept. 24, 2004:
In the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, Justice Heather Robertson rules
that banning same-sex marriages in unconstitutional, effectively
changing the definition of marriage in the province to "the lawful
union of two persons to the exclusion of all others."
Nov.
27, 2003:
Alliance Leader Stephen Harper Thursday fires MP Larry Spencer as
family issues critic after Spencer said homosexuality should be
outlawed. Spencer told the Vancouver Sun that homosexuality is part
of a "well orchestrated" conspiracy that should be outlawed,
a Canadian Alliance MP says.
Dec.
9, 2004:
The Supreme Court of Canada rules that the federal government can
change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, but
does not answer whether such a change is required by the Charter.
It also reaffirms that religious leaders can not be compelled to
perform same-sex marriages.
Dec. 21, 2004:
Newfoundland and Labrador is the seventh province to legalize same-sex
marriage after a Supreme Court judge approves the licences for two
lesbian couples.
Feb. 1, 2005:
The federal government introduces its same-sex marriage bill in
the House of Commons. The bill, if passed, would give married same-sex
partners the same legal recognition as other married couples, but
protects religious freedoms, the Liberals say. "No church,
no temple, no synagogue, no mosque, no religious official will be
asked or forced to perform a marriage that is contrary to their
beliefs," says Prime Minister Paul Martin.
April 25, 2005:
Four gay couples in New Brunswick file papers with the province's
Court of Appeal asking it to redefine marriage to include same-sex
unions. New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta
and Prince Edward Island are the only jurisdictions in Canada that
don't recognize same-sex marriages.
May 3, 2005:
Two men, a Canadian Forces sergeant and a warrant officer, are married
in the chapel at CFB Greenwood, N.S., in the military's first gay
wedding.
May 20, 2005:
Jason Perrino and Colin Snow, a same-sex couple from Yellowknife,
sue the government of the Northwest Territories over the right to
be married.
June 16, 2005:
Bill C-38, the same-sex marriage bill, continues to be delayed in
Parliament. The Liberals want the budget bill passed first, but
it is being delayed by the Conservatives.
June 23, 2005:
MPs vote to extend the sitting of the House of Commons, giving the
government more time to push through the same-sex marriage bill.
This follows a written promise made by the Liberals to the Bloc
Québécois that the legislation will be voted on before
the end of the parliamentary session.
June 23, 2005:
New Brunswick's Court of Queen's Bench finds the province's current
definition of civil marriage violates the rights of gay people.
The ruling makes New Brunswick the eighth province where a court
has opened the door to legal same-sex unions.
June 28, 2005:
The Liberals' controversial Bill C-38, titled Law on Civil Marriage,
passes a final reading in the House of Commons, sailing through
in a 158-133 vote, supported by most members of the Liberal party,
the Bloc Québécois and the NDP. The vote came at a
price for Paul Martin's minority government. Joe Comuzzi, the minister
responsible for Northern Ontario, resigned from the cabinet so he
could vote against the bill – an open rebuke of the government
legislation.
July 20, 2005:
Canada's same-sex marriage law receives royal assent as Chief Justice
Beverley McLachlin, acting in her role as deputy governor general,
signs it into law. Canada become the fourth country to legally recognize
gay marriage, after the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.
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Gay Marriage 
