PSAC Statement on Legalized Same-Sex Marriage  

The Public Service Alliance of Canada strongly supports the extension of access to civil marriage to same-sex couples. The PSAC has a long history of opposing and organizing to end all forms of discrimination be they in the workplace or in society as a whole.  

We stand by the courts which recognized that the right to marry must be extended to same-sex partners, the Canadian Human Rights Commission who recognized it, the Law Commission who recognized it, and we firmly stand by the majority of Canadians who, according to the most recent opinion polls, recognize it too.  

The exclusionary status quo of legal marriage is clearly discriminatory under our Charter of Rights and will only lead to ongoing legal challenges in the courts.   Instead of delaying and wasting time and taxpayers' dollars fighting this issue through the courts, the government should simply meet its legal obligations now by legislating an end to the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from marriage.

We urge the government to do the right thing, the socially and legally responsible thing, and amend Canada 's laws to allow lesbian and gay couples access to civil marriage.

151,000 members strong, the PSAC fights to improve workplace rights and working conditions of our members and all workers, and to improve the society in which our members live.