MEDIA STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 1999

Adoption of “Same-Sex Partner” Bill Cause for Celebration

“The Ontario legislature’s adoption this evening of legislation granting legal recognition of same-sex relationships in 67 Ontario statutes is cause for celebration,” says Tom Warner, spokesperson for the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO). “It’s a joyous occasion. Persons who are in same-sex relationships finally have all of the legal rights and responsibilities as common-law opposite-sex couples,” he added.

With the adoption of the legislation, the equality the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms intended is now reflected in Ontario’s laws dealing with spousal relationships. Among the rights and responsibilities established under the legislation are:

• paying of support payments under the Family Law Act if a relationship ends,
• recognizing same-sex partners in life and other insurance policies,
• granting survivor benefits under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, and
• requiring the disclosure of same-sex partners for conflict of interest purposes under a number of laws.

“We have waited a long time for this day, and worked hard over the last 10 years to win both public and political support for this important issue,” Mr. Warner noted. “We are delighted that the Progressive Conservative government decided to amend all of the laws dealing with relationships recognition following the Supreme Court decision in M v. H, and that the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party supported this historic legislation.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Warner, Christine Donald or Nick Mulé at (416) 405-8253