# Majority of Canadians support gay marriage - Queer Canucks do the happy dance **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 26, 2002, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897 "2002-07-26T07:57:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897/41 "2002-07-30T15:00:11Z")
> [@](#): > > You know, there was never any consensus on official bilingualism, either. Still isn’t. We went ahead and did that anyway, because it was JUST, dammit. Wake the smeg up I don’t know how they run things in Canada, but here in the US _nothing_ is done by consensus AFAIK. Have you ever tried getting consensus on a controversial issue? Will not happen. I recently spent 5 days with a small group of people (20-30) trying to reach consensus on some important issues, and it was darned near impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897/42 "2002-07-30T16:53:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weird\_AL\_Einstein \* > **I have two questions here I would like to ask, just to satisfy my own curiosity, if I may: What was the exact wording of the poll? The article linked in the OP didn’t say. Also, on what clause or clauses of the Canadian constitution (Is that the right word? Or should I say “Charter of Rights and Freedoms”?) was this ruling based?** The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a part of our constitution – a basic guarantee on things like the vote, freedom of religion, and freedom from some forms of discrimination. Section 15 of the Charter prevents discrimination: > [@](#): > > _Charter of Rights and Freedoms:_ > **Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.** In 1995 James Egan and John Nesbitt went to the Supreme court because, although they had been a couple for 47 years, when they applied for spousal benefits under the Old Age Security Act they were rejected. The Supreme Court ruled that “sexual orientation” should be “permenantly read into” the list in section 15 of the Charter – so it’s there without appearing on any text version (personally, I think they should add a footnote). Therefore, it is ilegal to pass any law that discriminates against people “on the basis of sexual orientation.” This, of course, includes the Marriage Act. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ace_of_Swords)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897/43 "2002-07-30T18:09:38Z")
Dear Matt\_Mcl & the rest of the Canadians, Congratulations, once again for being the most progressive nation in North America. In fact, I think, now with all the BC Bud and gay marriage, sounds like quite the party next Vancouver dopefest. Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but I note bitterly that plurality doesn’t necessarily lead to policy. Otherwise, we state-siders would’ve had gun control, no contentious abortion debate, and a decent insurance system a long, long time ago. Our advice, keep a close eye on those lobbyists, it’s amazing how the majority of the population can be thwarted by a monied minority. Oh, and send me a case of Moosehead, would ya? We’re fresh out. Cheers, Ace ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897/44 "2002-07-30T18:51:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ace0Spades \* > \*\*Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but I note bitterly that plurality doesn’t necessarily lead to policy. Otherwise, we state-siders would’ve had gun control, no contentious abortion debate, and a decent insurance system a long, long time ago. Our advice, keep a close eye on those lobbyists, it’s amazing how the majority of the population can be thwarted by a monied minority. > \*\* That’s very wise. And I agree completely. We’ve had an increasing problem with lobbyists up here trying to take apart our Medicare system, impose really awful trade deals, etc. Canadian public opinion is very much at odds with our political and financial elites. Hey, I just searched Revelations – and the good news is that the two of us agreeing is not apparently a sign of the end of the world! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897/45 "2002-08-02T13:49:29Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t know how they run things in Canada, but here in the US nothing is done by consensus AFAIK. Nor here. Martin Cauchon is being a _cochon_ and making up stupid excuses. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897/46 "2002-08-02T14:23:28Z")
Now, now **matt\_mcl** , don’t be to hard on the minister. He’s just following the family tradition of making bad decisions. A Pierre Cauchon sentenced Joan of Arc to the stake after all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-canadians-support-gay-marriage-queer-canucks-do-the-happy-dance/120897.md?page=2)