LEGISLATION

This heading is used sparingly. Only a few items concerning legislative action will be found here. See examples of related headings, given below in this note.
See, especially, HUMAN RIGHTS and its geographic subdivisions; also see more specific topical descriptors; e.g., the provincial geographic subdivisions of AIDS AND HIV for references to quarantine legislation; GAY COUPLES; GAY RELATIONSHIPS; HOMOPHOBIA; LESBIAN COUPLES; PRIVACY; TAXATION
Related heading: LAW
Heading LEGISLATION may also include failed legislation.
See the geographic subdivisions of LEGISLATION, below.
Note that the heading UNITED STATES -- LAW AND LEGISLATION is used for those rare indexed items on American legislation.

LEGISLATION -- ALBERTA

Frightened by marriage [concerning the private member's bill against same-sex marriage introduced by Red Deer Conservative MLA Victor Doerksen; comments of some politicians and others as bill "is working its way through the Alberta legislature"].
P136 (v18n3)(April 19, 2000): 14 (19cm.)
Domestic partners [newsnote that Alberta legislature "expected to debate a bill this fall that would grant some protection and rights to same-sex couples"; Bill 30, Adult Interdependent Relationships Act; some details].
P153 (v20n4)(June 5, 2002): 19 (12cm.)
No change coming [Alberta MLA Victor Doerksen introduces private member's bill to ban same-sex marriage in Alberta; this comes after Ontario court ruling on unconstitutionality of denial of marriage to same-sex couples; in June, Alberta government rather reluctantly "introduced legislation that would grant some rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples"; other details].
P154 (v20n5)(July 31, 2002): 10 (21cm.)
Equal at last [two newsnotes in article: report that Bill 30 passed on Dec. 4, 2002 by Alberta; is the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act, which "essentially grants equality to same-sex couples in Alberta"; law does not affect marriage; other details; second report: ruling, the same day, by Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission that province had discriminated against 13 couples in health care; Keith Purdy was among group of complainants].
P158 (v21n1)[cover misnumbered v201](Jan. 22, 2003): 13 (30cm.)
It's official [newsnote that Alberta government has proclaimed the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act, "which provides the same rights and responsibilities for people in 'unmarried, committed relationships' as those in opposite-sex common-law relationships"; proclaimed June 1/03; amends 68 laws addressing relationship issues].
P162 (v21n5)(July 23, 2003): 20 (16cm.)

LEGISLATION -- BRITISH COLUMBIA

Spousal rights coming [in British Columbia; NDP government has introduced "bill that would grant equal rights to same-gender couples"; Bill 31 has passed first reading "and there is little doubt that it will become law"; information on support for and objections to the legislation; etc.].
P114 (v15n5)(July 30, 1997): 23 (53cm.)
Adoption rights recognized [in British Columbia; Bill 31, which deals with child custody and support on relationship breakup, passes with large majority; Family Relations Amendment Act changes definition of "spouse" so that a "marriage-like relationship" now includes same-sex relationships; details, including opposition from an openly-gay MLA; bill still requires royal assent at time of this report].
P115 (v15n6)(Sept. 10, 1997): 24 (33cm.)
BC grants benefits ["British Columbia government has become the first government to grant pension benefits to same-sex couples without having to be taken to court"; reactions; other details].
P122 (v16n5)(July 29, 1998): 26 (25cm.)
More B.C. rights [now same death benefits; acts being updated "will give greater rights in the areas of inheritance, redress of wrongful death of a spouse, and assistance in probate issues"; B.C. "has also granted same-sex couples equal rights in child custody, access and maintenance issues, and B.C. civil servants also enjoy equal pension benefits"].
P129 (v17n4)(June 2, 1999): 27 (23cm.)
B.C. redefines "spouse" [newly-proclaimed Definition of Spouse Amendment Act; expands definition to "legislation in the areas of wills, estates, inheritance and other laws relating to the death of a spouse"; part of ongoing process of changes; reactions, other details].
P132 (v17n7)(Oct. 27, 1999): 24 (30cm.)

LEGISLATION -- CANADA

See also, e.g., CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS; CONSTITUTION -- CANADA; HUMAN RIGHTS -- CANADA
About law [discussing the limitations of the 1969 changes; "the expression of gay and lesbian sexuality is still limited by sections of the Federal Code"].
P3 (1983): 8-9 (39cm.)
Tories kill bill [private member's bill introduced into House of Commons by Svend Robinson].
P3 (1983): 14-15 (62cm.)
Ottawa to tackle "controversial" issues [Justice Minister John Crosbie says legislation will be introduced to bring laws/regulations into conformity with Charter of Rights and Freedoms; persons named who object to changes for gays: Gordon Taylor (Alberta PC), Stan Darling (Ontario PC), Lloyd Crouse (Nova Scotia MP), John Oostrom (Ontario PC MP)]. From Globe and Mail.
P19 [1985]: 27 (27cm.)
Forum: an opinion [concerning bill tabled in House of Commons by Justice Minister John Crosbie on subject of banning pornographic/erotic material]. By Gens Hellquist.
P25 [1986]: 26, 28 (54cm.)
Age of consent law changed [in Canada; Bill C-15 became law on June 30; also abolishes "undefined charge of gross indecency"].
P36 (Oct. 21, 1987): 10 (16cm.)
Age of consent lowered [with Canadian legislation in effect January 1, 1988].
P39 (Feb. 24, 1988): 10 (10cm.)
New crime category [newsnote that Bill C-61 carries several Criminal Code sections of interest to lesbians and gays]. From newsnotes compiled by Gens Hellquist.
P43 (Aug. 10, 1988): 32 (14cm.)
Supporting hate? ["it would appear that some MPs in Canada consider hate directed at lesbians and gay men to be acceptable"; many MPs have spoken against Bill C-41, which would allow judges to impose harsher penalties on those convicted of hate crimes, objecting because this bill includes sexual orientation in list of protections; specific mention of homophobic Liberal MPs Roseanne Skoke and Tom Wappel, and also of Dan McTeague; Alberta Reform MPs Art Hanger and Ken Epp also mentioned; Allan Rock maintained that bill dealt with crime; etc.].
P93 (v12n8)(Dec. 7, 1994): 22 (52cm.)
Clearing another hurdle [Hate Crimes Bill, C-41, passed through Commons Justice Committee; should soon pass third reading; would provide stiffer penalties for hate crimes against certain groups, including gays/lesbians; opposition groups trying to derail bill].
P97 (v13n4)(June 7, 1995): 23 (31cm.)
Hate bill passes [Bill C-41 passed third reading in House of Commons June 15, 1995; now must be approved by Senate; some of strongest attacks from within Liberal Party, by Roseanne Skoke and Tom Wappel; objections to sexual orientation inclusion].
P98 (v13n5)(July 26, 1995): 20 (61cm.)
Challenging tax act [Canadian Union of Public Employees challenges Income Tax Act, claiming discrimination on basis of sexual orientation; case heard July 25 and 26; will be several months before decision].
P99 (v13n6)(Sept. 13, 1995): 21-22 (27cm.)
Commons rejects Réal marriage [House of Commons voted "overwhelmingly" to reject Motion 264, a private member's bill sponsored by openly-gay Bloc Québécois MP Réal Ménard and seconded by Svend Robinson; bill would have legalized same-sex marriage].
P100 (v13n7)(Oct. 25, 1995): 20 (11cm.)
Criminalizing HIV transmission [Yorkton-Melville MP Garry Breitkreuz introduces Bill C-354 to House of Commons to criminalize transmission of virus; reactions].
P102 (v14n1)(Jan. 31, 1996): 11 (23cm.)
Having a baby [reporting that if federal government's new proposed legislation on reproductive technology (Bill C-47) becomes law, "it will most likely become more difficult for lesbians to have babies"; etc.].
P107 (v14n6)(Sept. 11, 1996): 13 (36cm.)
Marriage & taxes [MP Svend Robinson has introduced two private member's bills -- C-385 is "designed to allow same-sex partners to have a legally recognized marriage"; C-386 "would amend the Income Tax Act and the Canada Pension Plan Act's definition of spouse"; private member's bills seldom become law].
P121 (v16n4)(June 10, 1998): 24 (27cm.)
Hate laws strengthened? [NDP MP Svend Robinson introduced private member's bill (C-263) on October 26; intent is to amend Criminal Code section dealing with hate propaganda to add sexual orientation to list of "identifiable groups"; details of submission].
P133 (v17n8)(Dec. 8, 1999): 27 (24cm.)
Equal loving field [federal omnibus legislation extending "to same-sex couples all the rights and responsibilities accorded to unmarried opposite-sex couples" tabled by Liberals on February 11, 2000; Bill C-23 affects "some 68 federal laws and regulations"; details and reactions].
P135 (v18n2)(March 8, 2000): 24 (41cm.)
It's official [Bill C-23, amending 68 laws and regulations and providing same-sex couples with same benefits as provided to common-law opposite-sex couples, passed April 11 by vote of 174 to 72; now goes to Senate; details of both the events leading up to passage and the legislation itself].
P136 (v18n3)(April 19, 2000): 26 (36cm.)
Immigration changes proposed [Liberals introduced Bill C-11 on February 21, 2001; "if passed, it will amend the [Immigration] [A]ct allowing same-sex common-law couples to sponsor foreign spouses for citizenship"; difficulties with co-habitation requirement; government spokesperson says definition or test still being determined; other details].
P144 (v19n3)(April 25, 2001): 27 (22cm.)
Will immigration cross the line? [Bill C-11 now being reviewed by Senate committee; same-sex couples not explicitly included in definition of common-law couples; various other details].
P149 (v19n8)(Dec. 5, 2001): 26 (26cm.)
Losing the battle [Souris-Moose Mountain riding Canadian Alliance Party MP Roy Bailey unhappy that there is not more opposition to Bill C-250, introduced by Svend Robinson to ensure that "sexual orientation" is protected under federal hate crimes legislation; "a number of Saskatchewan Alliance MPs have sent out letters to their constituents opposing the Bill"; etc.].
P158 (v21n1)[cover misnumbered v201](Jan. 22, 2003): 12 (19cm.)
Discrimination OK [Maurice Vellacott, Saskatoon-Wanuskewin Alliance MP, has called for removal of clause in federal reproductive technologies legislation; is offended that a clause states no discrimination on basis of sexual orientation; comments of others; bill is before Parliament].
P159 (v21n2)(March 5, 2003): 11 (29cm.)
Freedom threatened? [reporting on organized campaign against Bill C-250 to amend Canada's hate crime law to protect lesbians and gays; campaign occurring in North Battleford; 7500 pamphlets produced by Canada Family Action Coalition distributed; comments of several religious leaders; concern about loss of religious freedom].
P159 (v21n2)(March 5, 2003): 19 (21cm.)
Svend filibusters [report on meeting of "Justice and Human Rights Committee" to decide whether to adopt Bill C-250, introduced by Svend Robinson; this bill would add "sexual orientation" to list of grounds under protection in hate legislation; report of the politicking involved in attempt to defeat this bill; many names and details given; request for public support].
P161 (v21n4)(May 28, 2003): 28 (41cm.)
Svend's bill passes [private member's bill introduced by Svend Robinson in November 2001 passes third reading 141-110 on Sept. 17/03; Bill C-250 includes "sexual orientation" in section of Criminal Code concerning hate crimes; "long fought-for victory for Robinson, who first tabled the bill in 1990"; bill now under review by Senate; other details, including denunciation by Roman Catholic Church and Focus on the Family group].
P164 (v21n7)(Oct. 22, 2003): 23-24 (38cm.)
Bill C-250: one step away [bill to amend hate crimes legislation has passed second reading in Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee; "Senator Anne Cools recently spoke to a delegation of Real Women of Canada about the dangers she perceives from the proposed amendment," but her view is not that of the majority of senators; etc.].
P168 (v22n3)(April 21, 2004): 28 (18cm.)
Senate passes Bill C-250 [gays and lesbians "have now successfully been added to the list of identifiable groups to be protected under Canada's hate crimes legislation"; bill passed by large margin, but was not without its opponents -- a quartet of Conservative senators, including David Tkachuck and Gerry St. Germain, along with Liberal senator Anne Cools, attempted to slow voting process; etc.].
P169 (v22n4)(June 2, 2004): 25 (33cm.)
Editorial ["we must all support those individuals and groups fighting to have the bawdy house laws stricken from the books"; mention of recent raid on steam bath in Hamilton, eight months after the Calgary raid, and also routine police raids across Canada on public parks; attempt to control human sexuality through bawdy house laws is unconstitutional, according to writer, and laws seem to be reserved for queers; etc.].
P171 (v22n6)(Sept. 15, 2004): 3 (13cm.)

LEGISLATION -- MANITOBA

Provincial AIDS strategy [private member's resolution tabled in Manitoba legislature calling for provincial AIDS strategy].
P103 (v14n2)(March 13, 1996): 19 (12cm.)
Adoption not allowed [Manitoba NDP government amended only 10 pieces of legislation affecting same-sex couples, compared with Saskatchewan government's amendment of "all their laws"; Bill 41 passed June 27, "but more than 70 other laws in Manitoba continue to discriminate against same-sex couples"; details, and comments of various individuals].
P146 (v19n5)(Aug. 1, 2001): 20 (18cm.)
Manitoba equality [Bill 53 introduced to "amend 56 statutes affecting marital and common-law relationships"; "bill reflects principle that those in common-law relationships (same and opposite sex) should be treated the same way as those in marital relationships" regarding property on breakdown and on death of a partner; bill will also provide for registration of a common-law relationship; other details].
P154 (v20n5)(July 31, 2002): 10 (29cm.)
It's official ["Manitoba legislature passed Bill 34 in late July"; bill "essentially provides equal rights for gay and lesbian couples in a wide range of areas including adoption and encompasses 50 different pieces of legislation"; called The Charter Compliance Act; some background and details].
P155 (v20n6)(Sept. 11, 2002): 20 (25cm.)
New property law [Manitoba legislation in effect June 30 extends property rights to same-sex common-law couples; registry established at Vital Statistics agency to allow common-law couples to register and bring them under the legislation; details, including information on relationship termination requirements; some wonder if this legislation is excuse to not allow same-sex marriage in Manitoba].
P170 (v22n5)(July 21, 2004): 11 (18cm.)

LEGISLATION -- NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Making history [on October 1, 2002, Northwest Territories passed Bill 1, the NWT Human Rights Act, which creates a Human Rights Commission and prohibits discrimination on grounds which include sexual orientation; also first Canadian jurisdiction to prohibit discrimination on grounds of gender identity; Northwest Territories organization OutNorth along with EGALE Canada appeared before the Legislative Committee; other details].
P157 (v20n8)(Dec. 4, 2002): 23 (25cm.)

LEGISLATION -- NUNAVUT

Queers in the North [queer rights a major issue in recent elections in Nunavut; legislature "narrowly passed human rights legislation last fall"; Paul Okalik challenged for premiership by Tagak Curley, associated with "burgeoning Christian fundamentalist movement...in the north"; Okalik elected premier again March 5, so "it would appear that the human rights legislation is safe for the time being"].
P167 (v22n2)[misnumbered v22n1 on contents page] (March 10, 2004): 26 (24cm.)

LEGISLATION -- ONTARIO

Ontario debate [over issue of same-sex spousal benefits; NDP introduced Bill 167 on May 19/94 to amend 56 pieces of legislation, including Human Rights Code; narrowly survived first reading; at press time, not known if would pass; additional contextual information].
P89 (v12n4)(June 8, 1994): 19 (51cm.)
Setback in Ontario [outrage and disappointment over defeat of Bill 167, "which would have granted lesbian and gay couples many of the same rights that are available to opposite-sex couples in Ontario; bill defeated on June 9; after vote, 3000 demonstrated; etc.].
P90 (v12n5)(July 27, 1994): 19 (52cm.)
In many ways equal [on October 27, 1999, Ontario Conservative government of Mike Harris passed Bill 5 "and changed almost 70 laws to make same-sex couples of equal legal standing with heterosexual common-law couples"; background information; details, including mention of what bill does not do; opinions expressed].
P133 (v17n8)(Dec. 8, 1999): 24-25 (79cm.)

LEGISLATION -- PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Now in P.E.I. ["one of the last provincial hold-outs has finally given in to the Supreme Court ruling that same-sex couples should not be denied equality..."; brief details].
P158 (v21n1)[cover misnumbered v201](Jan. 22, 2003): 28 (10cm.)

LEGISLATION -- QUÉBEC

Rights in Quebec [concern about "weakly written" Bill 133; hearings beginning on legislation on same-sex spousal benefits; some details].
P104 (v14n3)(April 24, 1996)[dated April 26 on contents page]: 20 (18cm.)
Quebec introduces civil unions [newsnote that Quebec Justice Minister Paul Begin says that if Quebec were independent state, same-sex couples would be allowed to marry; because only federal government can legislate to allow same-sex marriage, Begin has introduced legislation to allow civil union in the province; these civil unions wouldn't, however, allow adoption, despite that right being in place in other provinces; reaction].
P150 (v20n1)(Jan. 30, 2002): 28 (15cm.)

LEGISLATION -- SASKATCHEWAN

See also, especially, HUMAN RIGHTS -- SASKATCHEWAN
Legislation tabled [Saskatchewan government has given first reading to Bill 38 that would prohibit sexual orientation discrimination; reactions of a number of named Saskatchewan groups].
P80 (v11n3)(April 21, 1993): 11 (44cm.)
Saskatchewan rights [on June 22, 1993 Saskatchewan became the eighth province/territory to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation; Bill 38, to amend the Saskatchewan Human Rights Act, passed; additional details].
P82 (v11n5)(July 28, 1993): 11 (65cm.)
Equality in relationships [reporting on Saskatchewan NDP government's tabling on May 30 of Miscellaneous Statutes (Domestic Relations) Amendment Act, 2001; to amend 24 statutes concerning relationships and definition of "spouse"; is result of Supreme Court of Canada decision in M v. H case; other details].
P145 (v19n4)(June 6, 2001): 20 (47cm.)
Equal relationships [final reading and royal assent on July 6, 2001 in Saskatchewan to omnibus bill amending 24 pieces of legislation concerning spousal rights; legislation change required by earlier Supreme Court of Canada ruling; also some details on voting by Saskatchewan Party on this legislation].
P146 (v19n5)(Aug. 1, 2001): 13 (21cm.)

LEGISLATION -- UNITED STATES

See UNITED STATES -- LAW AND LEGISLATION