Same sex marriages come to Canada
recognition business altogether. This idea has merit, at least so far as any bureaucracy run by the federal government has usually proven to be a bloated operation anyway. It would also permit the federal government to recognize only 'civil unions' that would be equal to all citizens. If a couple wanted a 'marriage,' they could go to a religious organization free to set its own matrimonial criteria.
But even this proposal has its Charter problems: heterosexual couples who wished to be married would now be required to turn to religious organizations, which may violate equality and religious freedom provisions of the Charter.
Essentially this leaves only the 'notwithstanding clause,' of the Charter that permits provincial or federal governments to exempt itself from a provision of the Charter as it applies to a specific law. But this is such an extreme measure to undertake that governments are loath to enact it since the political costs are likely to be astronomical.
The time for moral, social and philosophical debate is over. The issue has been determined quite clearly by the courts and federal government members from all parties ought to recognize that the time has come to accept this change in societal norms and move on to more pressing business.
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