Relationship recognition We're families too! It must be obvious to any reasonably intelligent person that being in same-sex relationships is by definition a fundamental part of being gay. Human rights laws that fail to recognize this do not provide true equality. To date, same-sex couples have not been permitted to marry in Canada. While same-sex marriages are not explicitly prohibited in federal legislation, the federal Justice Department has opposed same-sex marriages in court. EGALE has supported a court challenge initiated by Pierre Beaulne and Todd Layland, two gay men whose application for a marriage license was refused. A number of foreign countries and municipalities have enacted or are considering legislation to recognize same-sex relationships. Many private and public sector employers in Canada (including many municipal governments and the governments of Ontario and New Brunswick) have extended employee benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees. This has resulted in little or no increased costs to employers. In the September 1992 Leshner decision, an Ontario human rights tribunal ruled that the Ontario government must extend benefits to the same-sex partners of its employees. Many lesbians, bisexuals and gay men believe that governments should provide benefits to individuals based on criteria other than family status. But in the absence of a fundamental restructuring of government benefits, same-sex couples must have equal access to the same benefits provided to heterosexual couples. It is clearly unfair to expect us to subsidize government programs that we cannot participate in. "It is surely in the interests of the state to foster all family relationships, be they heterosexual or same-sex relationships." Madame Justice Susan Greer minority ruling in the Beaulne and Layland case March 1992 The EGALE questionnaire asked Do you believe the federal government should extend employee benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees? Conservatives: ? "...the federal government's legal obligations in the extension of federal employee benefits has not yet been comprehensively considered by the courts." Liberals: ? "The Liberal caucus will be studying the New Brunswick government's recently announced policy in regard to spousal benefits for same- sex couples..." New Democrats: Yes Do you support a review of federal legislation with the aim of allowing lesbian and gay couples to share the same benefits and responsibilities as heterosexuals? Conservatives: ? "The Department of Justice has already begun a review of federal legislation and policies that make distinctions on the basis of marriage and family relationships. The issue of benefits for gay and lesbian partners will be considered as part of this review." Liberals: ? "A Liberal government would review all current federal legislation to ensure that it reflects the diversity of Canadian society." New Democrats: Yes Do you support changes to federal marriage law to recognize same- sex marriages? Conservatives: ? "As this issue is currently before the courts, it is inappropriate to comment, other than to say that federal legislation does not prohibit same-sex marriages." Liberals: ? "It does not appear that any provincial government in Canada officially supports marriages between people of the same sex. At the federal level, the concept of legally-sanctioned same-sex marriages has not been an issue until recently. For this reason, the issue [has not been] debated by the Liberal Party..." New Democrats: Yes 542 words