Canadian Gov’t Dissolves Thousands of Same-Sex Marriages (Including Dan Savage’s)

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Jan 12, 2012 in Politics | 394 comments

"Surprise! You're divorced."

UPDATE 1/13/12: Canadian Gov’t: YES, We Dissolved Your Gay Marriage, But We’re Working on a Fix

Thousands of LGBT couples across the world awoke this morning to learn that they are no longer married.

A Department of Justice lawyer under Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party of Canada government has nullified all same-sex marriages performed in Canada in which the couples’ native country does not permit gays and lesbians to marry.

The reversal of federal policy is revealed in a document filed in a Toronto test case launched recently by a lesbian couple seeking a divorce. Wed in Toronto in 2005, the couple have been told they cannot divorce because they were never really married – a Department of Justice lawyer says their marriage is not legal in Canada since they could not have lawfully wed in Florida or England, where the two partners reside.

The two women – professionals in the their early 30s – cannot be identified under a court order. But Martha McCarthy, a prominent Toronto lawyer who represents them, said the government’s about-face is astonishing.

“It is scandalous,” she said in an interview. “It is offensive to their dignity and human rights to suggest they weren’t married or that they have something that is a nullity.”

Ms. McCarthy, who played an instrumental role in the fight to legalize same-sex marriage, said Ontario has tried to duck the volatile test case by deferring to the federal government.

“It is appalling and outrageous that two levels of government would be taking this position without ever having raised it before, telling anybody it was an issue or doing anything pro-active about it,” she said. “All the while, they were handing out licences to perform marriages across the country to non-resident people.”

Newspapers across the world are covered in headlines about this savage and unprecedented attack on LGBT people.

Dan Savage, who wed his husband (now boyfriend) in Vancouver in 2005, weighs in:

There will be lawsuits, time and money will be wasted, oceans of ink and pixels will be spilled, before this issue—the full civil equality of gays and lesbians—winds up before the Supreme Court of Canada. I’m confident that justice will prevail—God bless the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—but the decision to reopen this issue is going to be one massive distraction for the Canadian government.

Gays and lesbians inside and outside of Canada are going to make sure of it.

Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go wake up my husband and tell him we got divorced last night.

Critics of this attack on LGBT people have noted both online and off that if gay marriages are now without legal standing in Canada if the couple’s homeland forbids them, are Middle Eastern women living in Canada now stripped of their rights to vote, drive a car, or even show their hair? Is being gay now punishable by death in Canada if you’re from Uganda? Is blogging or criticizing your government now illegal for Egyptians living in Canada?

We can hardly believe we are reporting this. Expect massive coverage in the coming days.

How would you feel to wake up divorced by a foreign government after years of marriage?

Anonymous

Embarrassed to be a Canadian today. My apologies.

http://twitter.com/KatyWompus Katy

Well, we’ve been embarrassed to be Americans for awhile now. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Presumably if you’re here at UB, you don’t share these beliefs.
http://unicornbooty.com Unicorn Booty

We’re not holding this one personally against you, Denise. THIS TIME.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robyn-Venessa-Mazy/1303224949 Robyn Venessa Mazy

agree with Katy- its the government to be ashamed not you
http://www.modelmayhem.com Heather Lynne Orr

As am I.
As a bisexal woman, I can’t imagine how I would deal with this were I married. Shame on you, Harper.

Anonymous

So today I find out from you my marriage Nov 12th, 2005 is no longer! I can not tell you the feelings I have right now. NO ONE SAID ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT THIS LAW AND I ASKED!! AND THE MONEY TO HAVE THIS WEDDING!! Its a very sad day..

Kit Warner

Don’t let them take your marriage away. In my mind, you’re still married, so let it stay in your mind too.
Anonymous

Ya, uh, your marriage hasn’t been taken from you. :/

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AVGYVV2MI4MWRRI7O3KWFVAX3U Ian

Dan Savage is Canadian? Isn’t he American?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_47VN5UQJ5KYNCHUO5SRRACKMYE Xiomara

”nullified all same-sex marriages performed in Canada in which the
couples’ native country does not permit gays and lesbians to marry.” So if he is an American, and got married in Canada, that is why his marriage is no longer valid.
Kit Warner

I believe he’s american and got married in canada. What the article is saying is that all of the people who got married in canada and then came back home to the US are affected be this.
Anonymous

Yes, he is American, but we have the repugnantly named Defense of Marriage Act in the USA, which prevents federal recognition of marriages, even when they are recognized in their states. Currently same-sex marriage is allowed in New York, Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont New Hampshire and the District of Columbia, but he and his husband (now boyfriend) live in Seattle, Washington.

http://www.facebook.com/ccates92 Courtney Cates

That really disappoints me.Its too bad that conservatives have to find a way to make what should be right of all people into a political tool to further their careers come election time.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Wille/507327750 Daniel Wille

If you actually read a reputable article. You will read that the federal law in question applies to ALL marriages…not just gay ones.

http://www.facebook.com/daniel.c.paulson Daniel Paulson Becker

Another reminder how we as LGBT people can never rest on our laurels. We should never be complacent and assume our rights will be protected by others.
As a Canadian I am certain this will be resolved…but until then my apologies go out to all that have been affected by this embarrassment of federal red tape, double standards and lies!
Anonymous

Well, “in your mind” is one thing, but that doesn’t matter in the eyes of the law. This is just plain wrong.
http://www.facebook.com/depickett99 David E. Pickett

This story is not based on fact! Go to a reliable news source and read the real story. There were suites filed to try and nullify marriage. It is still in the court system. The prime minister has stated that he will not reopen the debate on gay marriage.
http://www.facebook.com/LoganAquin Logan Aquin

looks like I’m not living in Canada when I’m out on my own now

Al Somike

Forgive me if I’ve misunderstood, but perhaps you are missing the point.

If you want to be legally married to a same-sex partner, Canada is one place to do that. The problem here was that that the couple did NOT reside in Canada.

Anonymous

My husband an I were married in Montreal several years ago. I guess we have also been invalidated by the Canadian Government. Funny they took all our money while we were there for the sole purpose of our wedding…disgusting…
http://twitter.com/mFoof Michael Fouquette

This is no different that if my partner and I went to my birth-state of Connecticut and got married there. Upon returning to our home in California, that marriage certificate is worth less than a wet napkin. We have to use the “gays only water fountain” they call domestic partnership for almost all the state-level benfits, and still get none of the 1200 or so federal-level benefits of marriage (immigration, joint taxes, social security benfits, etc). #fb
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=823365136 Dawn Chapman

Awful… All that joy and money spent on a marriage to be told it isn’t worth anything…. Are they offering refunds? Not likely. Really awful news, I feel so sorry for everyone involved.
http://www.facebook.com/GTMarie GT Marie

My Wife and I went to Canada in 2010 to get married since same-sex marriages were not legal in New York at that time. We had a blast while we were and have often thought of going back… However, now I am reconsidering this… I now have the terrible job of telling my wife that we are no longer married…. Man this makes my day go from eh to SHITTY! Thanks Canada……….

Anonymous

If it’s legal now, why would that make your marriage not legal?

http://www.facebook.com/GTMarie GT Marie

Because the USA federal governemt does not recognize Same-Sex Marriages. I feel the you should re-read this article VERY SLOWLY so that you understand the whloe thing before you make any comments….

http://www.facebook.com/marc.a17 Marc-André Couturier

Like if you think Harper should die from a very painful death!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523606299 Seriel D’Jinn

naw..he’s an idiot with power..not the first and not the last. i dont want him to die..i want him to change. and its either change or get out of the way in this world
Anonymous

Really? this is your response? Gay marriage is still legal. It’s Divorce law that makes it hard. This is a problem for people who are NOT CANADIAN! If you and your partner are Canadian, this DOES NOT affect you. Do some research, not just content that suits your beliefs.

http://twitter.com/ananiva Ana Niva

so if it doesn’t affect me personally it shouldn’t matter? so if human rights are being violated abroad I shouldn’t care?

Anonymous

It’s not that it doesn’t matter. Of course it does, but you should be aware of your rights before getting married, no? Who’s fault is this really? I believe it’s their own fault for not understanding the law of where they reside. The Harper Government is not to blame, that’s for darn sure.

Kate Woltz

But they are - they reversed a policy that was in place at the time these couples were married. Therefore, they have directly invalidated marriages which were previously valid. The same law that validates their marriage is the one that allows Canadians to go abroad for destination weddings and come back legally married. This is a slippery slope and I believe it is Mr. Harper’s first volley againts gay rights in general.
Anonymous

This is also just a lawyers take on it. This has not been ruled on AT ALL. Harper has done nothing, nothing has been reversed. You have to look a little further than ^ this tripe.
Anonymous

Boyd stressed that any decision resulting from the case will not affect the legal standing of the same-sex marriages of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Same-sex marriage has been permitted in the country since the early 2000s and enshrined in law in 2005.
But she said foreign couples have to PROVE they have the legal “capacity” to get married in Canada, and if their home countries do not recognize same-sex marriage, technically, they cannot meet that requirement.
Taken from and article in The Province
Ray Jenson

Just some food for thought, here (and yes, this is strongly opinionated):

If someone comes to Canada and buys condoms which they then transport to Saudi Arabia (where they might be illegal), and one of them breaks, does that mean that the resulting pregnancy is invalid? The government cannot determine who is or isn’t a couple; they only get to determine who is allowed a benefit or not.

If an oil tycoon from the UAE comes over with 3-4 of his wives, are those then invalid while in Canada?

This is really just a matter of politics: marriage has ALWAYS been political. I don’t get why people think that a political choice should determine whether or not someone is capable of receiving the benefit of things like insurance or next-of-kin rights. Everyone can see who is or isn’t a couple: shouldn’t it be obvious that we support the right to choose a political stance?
Ray Jenson

Just some food for thought, here (and yes, this is strongly opinionated):

If someone comes to Canada and buys condoms which they then transport to Saudi Arabia (where they might be illegal), and one of them breaks, does that mean that the resulting pregnancy is invalid? The government cannot determine who is or isn’t a couple; they only get to determine who is allowed a benefit or not.

If an oil tycoon from the UAE comes over with 3-4 of his wives, are those then invalid while in Canada?

This is really just a matter of politics: marriage has ALWAYS been political. I don’t get why people think that a political choice should determine whether or not someone is capable of receiving the benefit of things like insurance or next-of-kin rights. Everyone can see who is or isn’t a couple: shouldn’t it be obvious that we support the right to choose a political stance?
Anonymous

That totally has nothing to do with what we’re talking about. Pregnancy invalid? You’re comparing apples and oranges here and it dilutes the argument. The oil tycoon comes here with 3 wives, yes it is valid, IN HIS COUNTRY. Not here, it’s actually illegal. As far as receiving the benefits, they still do, with or without a marriage certificate. The point here is that we cannot propose our laws or ideals on others, we can’t tell florida to change their laws because 6 people came here and got married. The point is that the responsibility lies solely in those couples who chose to come HERE and get married without first finding out if it is valid where they live.
Anonymous

That totally has nothing to do with what we’re talking about. Pregnancy invalid? You’re comparing apples and oranges here and it dilutes the argument. The oil tycoon comes here with 3 wives, yes it is valid, IN HIS COUNTRY. Not here, it’s actually illegal. As far as receiving the benefits, they still do, with or without a marriage certificate. The point here is that we cannot propose our laws or ideals on others, we can’t tell florida to change their laws because 6 people came here and got married. The point is that the responsibility lies solely in those couples who chose to come HERE and get married without first finding out if it is valid where they live.
http://twitter.com/Pity_Kitty Kathryn Hyde

Worst. Analogy. Ever.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2GMKXXIWDXHKUVN4HA6XKDQ6QY A Canadian Atheist

Know what sweetheart? Laws get changed ALL the time. Deal with it, it’s called “the real world”.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sthina-Sarojini/1285281537 Sthina Sarojini

Only someone who’s privileged enough to never have experienced real discrimination would say something as stupid as this.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Dudley/707905857 Robert Dudley

NO this is a HUGE step backwards…this is just bullshit.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OCF6ACJMZQ4Z3K54D6WSN3H6RA Scott D

So Canadian Atheist, Let’s take your comments and apply it to yourself. If you are married, you’re saying it’s ok if the government decides one day that you are not married, and you should just “deal with it?” If you go to the US and spend $20,000 for a new car, drive it to Canada, pay the required import taxes, then the US passes a law saying “never mind, we’re repealing the law that allowed foreigners to buy cars in the US” and then seizes your car, that’s ok because it’s the law and they get changed ALL the time. Just deal with it, buddy!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tasha-Starling/618726620 Tasha Starling

Obvious troll is obvious.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2GMKXXIWDXHKUVN4HA6XKDQ6QY A Canadian Atheist

Know what sweetheart? Laws get changed ALL the time. Deal with it, it’s called “the real world”.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002275706971 Winnie Frank

Mr.Harper had nothing to do with it, try as you might to implicate him in something said by one gov’t lawyer, it doesn’t work. Tin foil hat time.
Adam Chafe

You nailed it right on the head. I couldn’t agree more. Canada makes laws for CANADA, in cases like this, it’s not our responsibility what other countries laws are. All we can do is have equal rights ourselves for the people who live in Canada, and hope others follow suit. This is a terrible article that is spinning the facts.
http://twitter.com/efakinom Monika Fedyczkowska

Actually, Canada clearly endeavours to make laws not only within Canada but also outside of Canada. Our participation in the United Nations is an exemplary fact that indicates that Canada does have concerns about the actions of other countries and how it affects her. So, I would argue that deciding that this is ‘just’ a law that changes, is also deciding that national sovereignty is ‘just’ a law that changes. The things a country chooses to enact into a law or to take it out of law is indicative of its nature and not something a country has to do when in the ‘real world’.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Claude-Summers/100001531801674 Claude Summers

You misunderstand the issue. The problem is not that the Canadian marriage is not recognized in Florida. The couple knew that. The problem is that this government lawyer says that the marriage is not legal in Canada! The very government that issued the license, and got paid for, and its tourist agency promoted Canada as a wedding destination to gay couples where same-sex marriage is not legal, now says that the very product they licensed and promoted is not legal. Unbelievable. They should be sued for running a “bait-and-switch.”
http://www.facebook.com/people/Cheryl-Saucier-Wilson/100001776170032 Cheryl Saucier-Wilson

I agree! Totally sounds like bait and switch just to get us foreigners there to spend our $$$… thinking more than twice next time! Tourism will surely be affected by this action.
Adam Chafe

You nailed it right on the head. I couldn’t agree more. Canada makes laws for CANADA, in cases like this, it’s not our responsibility what other countries laws are. All we can do is have equal rights ourselves for the people who live in Canada, and hope others follow suit. This is a terrible article that is spinning the facts.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1381429933 Kevin Palmer

they were taking money for marriage licenses. Refund the money if it was not legal.
Al Somike

Now here’s a comment that makes some sense!

Although I have to say, Kevin, more may need to be done than simply refund the money, given that it looks like 5,000 or so same-sex couples have been led to believe they were legally married in Canada when, in fact, they were not. I can only imagine how frustrating/nerve-wracking/damaging this must be for all of those people.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Cheryl-Saucier-Wilson/100001776170032 Cheryl Saucier-Wilson

We were one of those couples who travelled to Canada to finally have the right to marry. We feel betrayed and hurt, also wanting a refund of emotions and money spent.
Al Somike

Now here’s a comment that makes some sense!

Although I have to say, Kevin, more may need to be done than simply refund the money, given that it looks like 5,000 or so same-sex couples have been led to believe they were legally married in Canada when, in fact, they were not. I can only imagine how frustrating/nerve-wracking/damaging this must be for all of those people.
Anonymous

This is a valid statement. A great solution, although it would not be close to enough. But yes, I agree.
Anonymous

This is a valid statement. A great solution, although it would not be close to enough. But yes, I agree.
http://www.facebook.com/KatieASnyder Katie Snyder

Not to mention that many (as well as their friends and family) likely traveled to Canada specifically to have this marriage performed. How heart breaking this must be to those happy couples who believed they had finally found their way to have what most couples in love want, the freedom to declare their love and intentions.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6PYBF4GVTXYOF2MCNPBWQBRUQM jameslord100

Of course, thet still can; Just because the piece of paper that states their marrige is not ’legal’ they still have it, they still had there ceremony, and they still have their love for one another. They really shouldnt be worrying what the Canadian government says about their love.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Cheryl-Saucier-Wilson/100001776170032 Cheryl Saucier-Wilson

It’s more about the license the Canadian gov’t issued us…under pretense that we were at least close to equality with any heterosexual couples. What kind of scam was THAT!?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1381429933 Kevin Palmer

they were taking money for marriage licenses. Refund the money if it was not legal.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tex-ORyan/542016800 Tex O’Ryan

Perhaps make yer hobby stamp collecting HP, because yer political hobby isn’t working for you. You show a lack of understanding on what it ‘was’ to get married in Canada when it wasn’t legal in your own country in the first place. Pushing that boundary was needed to try and force the legality in this country and the formerly supportive Canadian govt has let down the citizens of the world… badly. From Canada; we expected better.
http://twitter.com/eh_politico Terri McAuley

Dude, really? Until the Harper government decided to nullify those marriages, they were legal. Now they’re not. Explain how this isn’t the work of Harper’s government.
http://www.facebook.com/chris.mackechnie Chris MacKechnie

No marriages have been “nullified” There is a fairly complex case being heard about a couple who fell between the cracks of marriage and divorce law. Harper has actually stated “I will be looking at options to clarify the law so that marriages performed in Canada can be undone in Canada.” That’s it. Now run along and find a real cause to support.
Anonymous

Oh? Not to blame? Who was it that approved same sex marriages for these people in the first place?
Total lack of competency on our governments part, I don’t care how the tale is spun….

http://www.facebook.com/people/Norman-Lewis/100000954804678 Norman Lewis

The response to the human rights violation in the US is to campaign against those violations in the US and change the US law.

If marriage is a legally binding contract backed by the punitive force of the state, then it is only recognisable in the country in which it is authorised and any countries that have special agreements with them. The government of Canada has, by its very nature, no say in what happens in the US if/when a couple get divorced, if/when a couple apply for special consideration or visitation rights or any of the legal, regulated things that surround the contract of marriage.

If marriage is a promise between two people witnessed by a person in a suit with a name tag then all of these people are still married. If it is a state-empowered contract to remain faithful to one another (to whatever degree is mutually agreed upon), associated with privileges/rights that other hetero married couples share, then it was never a marriage outside of Canada.

The UK government cannot tax the people of Chicago. Venezuela cannot use Eminent Domain to build a highway through Poland. Canada cannot join people in marriages legally recognisable by the US, unless the US agrees to it. Consequently, the fight is with the US government.

Take it to them, kick their asses. Destroy heteronormativity, eliminate gender and wipe patriarchy from cultural memory.

http://www.facebook.com/sbaileybryan Shaun Bryan

Wow, what a global approach to human rights you have there. Hobbypolitician, eh? Yeah, it’s “hobby politicians” that get us into these kinds of mockeries of human justice and it’s actually intelligent, gobally-minded people that must get us out. How big of you, Sir, to only care about your own rights–does Canada have a Tea Party? It can’t be anymore ridiculously historically uninformed than the American one, central premise included.

Anonymous

Mockery of Human Justice eh? These people WANT TO GET DIVORCED! So they say, hey no worries mates, you can’t really be divorced unless you’ve lived here for 12 months. My issue is that this moron who wrote this article, is a total fear monger who jumps to massive conclusions based on no evidence or precedence. TO THIS DATE. No ones marriage has been dissolved, this is a case in a court, it has not been ruled on. Take your hipster wordsmith attitude and go ride a single gear bike right off a cliff. Stop abusing the words “human rights” Lets really focus on human rights and feed some hungry africans.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=606469746 Sam McGarry

Thank you for bringing up the divorce issue. I have been reading a lot about this issue lately. Gays who have married in Canada are finding that they cannot get divorced because laws within their own countries don’t recognize their marriages in the first place. Why do you need a divorce if your country doesn’t recognize your marriage? Because without getting a divorce, you cannot have your case dealt with in divorce court if it gets messy, and because you could not get remarried in any country that DOES recognize gay marriages.

In order to get a “gay divorced” in Canada, one or both of of the people in the marriage have to live in Canada for at least 12 months – the same applies to hetero marriages.

So in other words, you can either dissolve the current marriages and leave a lot of disappointed people finding themselves un-married, or not dissolve then and leave a lot of other disappointed people finding that that can’t get divorced or remarried.

Hooray for politics!

http://twitter.com/michaelCHUBBS Michael chubbs

Just because it doesn’t affect Canadian couples doesn’t mean that we cant be outraged and disgusted!!! Were a country thats known for caring for others! Or is that something that Harper has stripped from you?

Anonymous

We care for others of course, it’s what we’re most known for, but this is NOT our fault. It’s the fault of the folks getting married. You HAVE to understand the laws you’re bound by before you embark on something as big as marriage no? The responsibility is not ours, and every red flag waving libertarian is going to try to pin this on Harper. It’s just not his fault. That’s the real discussion.

http://twitter.com/JoSocio Jo

So he couldn’t have closed the loophole in a minimal time frame instead of having a lawyer dissect civil unions?
Anonymous

Are you talking about Harper? If so, wouldn’t it be amazing if we could close all the loopholes that make law useless? Sure, can we? No way because you have to let these things sift out sometimes. This will be fixed, and everyone knows it, but right now it’s anti conservative ammo, so everyone’s aiming at Harper. That’s childs play. Our politicians need to rise above this finger pointing game, instead of always putting down to get forward, work together, for the people they represent.
Anonymous

Are you talking about Harper? If so, wouldn’t it be amazing if we could close all the loopholes that make law useless? Sure, can we? No way because you have to let these things sift out sometimes. This will be fixed, and everyone knows it, but right now it’s anti conservative ammo, so everyone’s aiming at Harper. That’s childs play. Our politicians need to rise above this finger pointing game, instead of always putting down to get forward, work together, for the people they represent.
Anonymous

Oh here is some more recent history by our wonderful Prime Minister!

Posted on Wed, Aug 3, 2011, 3:32 pm by Canadian Press

Stephen Harper says it’s time to complete a conservative hat trick and defeat the provincial Liberal government in Ontario.

The prime minister made an unannounced visit to a barbecue at the family home of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, a populist conservative elected last fall on a platform of ending what Ford called the municipal “gravy train.”

In a Youtube video of Harper’s speech to invited guests in the suburban Etobicoke backyard of Ford’s mother, the prime minister claims that he and the Toronto mayor are each cleaning up a “left-wing mess.”

And with an Ontario provincial election coming in October, Harper told the Tory crowd it is time to “complete the hat trick and do it provincially as well.”

It wasn’t clear what left-wing mess Harper was referring to federally, as his Conservatives inherited a $13-billion federal surplus when they came to power five years ago and have turned it into multi-billion-dollar deficits.
Anonymous

Very Interesting comment about don’t point fingers rise to the occasion.

Just look at history and you will know Harpers play book!

Harper has expressed socially conservative views on some issues. In 1994, he opposed plans by federal Justice Minister Allan Rock to introduce spousal benefits for same-sex couples. Citing the recent failure of a similar initiative in Ontario, he was quoted as saying, “What I hope they learn is not to get into it. There are more important social and economic issues, not to mention the unity question.”Harper also spoke against the possibility of the Canadian Human Rights Commission or the Supreme Court changing federal policy in these and other matters.

The Alberta Agenda is a loosely-organized political movement initiated by a letter written by prominent Albertans, including future Prime Minister Stephen Harper and 2006 Alberta PC leadership candidate Ted Morton, urging Albertan Premier Ralph Klein to fully exercise Alberta’s constitutional powers. The letter was published by the National Post on January 27, 2001, in the wake of the Alberta-based Canadian Alliance’s defeat in the 2000 Canadian federal election.

Don’t expect to much sympathy for conservative views when only 39% of voters voted conservative. That number is based on the last election with a turn out of only 61% of eligible voters! We have a sad electorate and we call ourselves a great Nation. Which means you really have a pollitical view of 24% deciding which direction to take this country.
http://twitter.com/JoSocio Jo

So he couldn’t have closed the loophole in a minimal time frame instead of having a lawyer dissect civil unions?
Minty Arisato

Sure, let’s blame the folks who got married. Let’s blame them for wanting to marry someone just like a normal heterosexual couple can any time of day. I don’t want to put blame on anyone, I just want this fixed.
Anonymous

The blame game is irrelevant here. We have reality. If I went to another country and married 27 virgins, no matter how much i think i’m right, it’s illegal here and would be invalid. The right answer here is, if you are coming here to be married, it’s your responsibility to find out if it’s legal or not where you reside. They marry here because it’s illegal where they are. That’s your first red flag.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1186686777 Madeleine Magrathea Gomery

I can’t believe nobody has explained this to you yet.
Until, well, today, it HAS been legal to get married in Canada, regardless of whether or not your country of origin allowed it. What’s infuriating about this announcement is that same-sex couples who have come to Canada to get married had every reason to believe that in doing so, their marriages would be legal and binding. I don’t see how you can possibly argue that it’s “their fault” for not properly researching the laws of the country–the laws were in their favour!

Also, you sound smug enough to be a Canadian politician.
Delage Lemire

hobby politician, you keep missing the bigger picture. The message we need to send to you is, Canada has been known for accepting people of all races – or so is our ideal – and part of that picture is giving freedom to people who in their own countries, would not have those freedoms. One of those freedoms we have offered them, is if they are homosexual, to let them be married. The fact that that Harper is changing that previously freedom-giving law to homosexuals, is thwarting the ideal which Canada has been known for – freedom. So by now treating these foreign people in Canada the way they have been unjustly treated in their home country, is not only an ignorant step backwards, but slowing down the process for all people to live freely – or a step to getting there – and of course, turning a previously loving Canada into a life-killing, deteriorating, and stupidly prejudice one.
Anonymous

….so if someone from Islam steals from my store I have the right to cut off thier hands because THAT’S THE WAY IT IS IN THEIR COUNTRY??
*Shrugs, because what I’m hearing from you is that ‘if they are going to your store to steal, it’s their responsibility to find
out if it’s legal or not where they reside’.

I mean OBVIOUSLY they came to my store to steal due to the fact that in their country it’s
illegal punishable by loosing thier hands, but in Canada they only go to jail for a short time and not even in some cases. Who knows, they might just be banned from the store, have to do community service, or pay a fine.

And that’s YOUR first red flag…about your suggestions *shakes head in disgust
Anonymous

The blame game is irrelevant here. We have reality. If I went to another country and married 27 virgins, no matter how much i think i’m right, it’s illegal here and would be invalid. The right answer here is, if you are coming here to be married, it’s your responsibility to find out if it’s legal or not where you reside. They marry here because it’s illegal where they are. That’s your first red flag.
Minty Arisato

Sure, let’s blame the folks who got married. Let’s blame them for wanting to marry someone just like a normal heterosexual couple can any time of day. I don’t want to put blame on anyone, I just want this fixed.
Ray Jenson

It’s one thing to say that Canada won’t support aliens marrying outside of Canada; but these people paid for licensing which is now retroactively being invalidated. We CAN pin this on Harper, because he is taking a stance of support of the decision. We CAN pin this on the individuals who got married, but that’s like saying it’s their fault for paying a con artist… and yes, I just made that comparison with Harper’s administration to a con artist. If this is to be good policy, then supporting the policy selectively must be dropped: either support it for all people outside Canada (citizens and non-citizens alike, wherever they have been married), or refund the money paid to marriage commissioners for the now-invalidated ceremony. Simply declaring it so is WRONG.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=599552052 Chad Decker

The issuing of licences for marriage is NOT a Federal responsibility, that is solely a “Provincial” responsibility.
http://twitter.com/efakinom Monika Fedyczkowska

Interesting. How is the federal government able to rescind those licenses?

Anonymous

We care for others of course, it’s what we’re most known for, but this is NOT our fault. It’s the fault of the folks getting married. You HAVE to understand the laws you’re bound by before you embark on something as big as marriage no? The responsibility is not ours, and every red flag waving libertarian is going to try to pin this on Harper. It’s just not his fault. That’s the real discussion.
Anonymous

It’s honestly not our fault that other countries disagree with our laws. If it’s illegal there, it’s still going to be illegal there no matter what our laws are.

Anonymous

We can’t tell people how to govern themselves.
Anonymous

We can’t tell people how to govern themselves.

Anonymous

It’s honestly not our fault that other countries disagree with our laws. If it’s illegal there, it’s still going to be illegal there no matter what our laws are.

http://twitter.com/michaelCHUBBS Michael chubbs

Just because it doesn’t affect Canadian couples doesn’t mean that we cant be outraged and disgusted!!! Were a country thats known for caring for others! Or is that something that Harper has stripped from you?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=767320392 Jennifer Birch

wow. that was probably the most ignorant thing i’ve ever read.
because it doesnt happen here in Canada should make it less offensive to us? we dont have as high a mortality or poverty rate as, lets say, Africa either. does that mean we should turn a blind eye and pretend it isnt happening.
Give your head a shake.

Anonymous

Why is this offensive? It’s on them to understand the law where they live. can you seriously sit there and expect Canadians to tell Americans what laws they are Governed by? And no we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to poverty or “real” human rights issues. This Gay marriage/divorce debacle doesn’t come close to those in terms of importance, i’m sure any breathing human would agree. You comparing the two, makes me think, it is you, not me who should be giving their head a shake.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Camosy/2911905 Diana Camosy

Actually, most countries have reciprocity agreements that recognize marriage certificates from foreign governments should couples with them move to another country. This is why people with a marriage certificate from Mexico and Canada have their marriages recognized in the US should Mexican or Canadian couples move here. To your point, this principle also applies to Americans who get married in another country and thus have a marriage certificate from that country. They come back to their homeland and their relationship is a legally recognized one.

US states are also constitutionally obligated, under the Full Faith and Credit clause, to recognize legal rights and privileges conferred on residents of other states should those residents pull up roots––one of those rights is marriage. It thus doesn’t matter whether your marriage is gay or straight.

The problem that arises in American law is that states that have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage refuse to recognize those relationships performed in states where gay marriage is legal (e.g. Massachusetts, New York). I know of no case where a Canadian gay couple has moved to an American state and not had their marriage recognized (perhaps because they move to states where gay marriage or some similar relationship is recognized and they don’t move to states like Alabama). What’s horrifying to me is that it was Canada––despite its reputation for friendliness––that would invalidate marriages by non-residents because there’s no legal recognition of it in the US. That, I believe, is absolutely without precedent.
http://www.facebook.com/SHARKBEAK Sean McNally

I’m australian, I recently married a Canadian, in Canada. I went into town hall, I had to provide my australian Passport to the agency there, it had to get approved to get the license which I paid for. At no point in this multi step process did any of these officials ever say, ‘did you know you cant get married if its illegal in your country’. It was not in any of the paper work, which I read all of thoroughly.
How am I or my partner to blame for some invisible law that us not being experts in the law and in the hands of experts in the policy of the law, could not possibly have been aware of or had warning of.
It is in fact, fault of the agency and the ministers both of whom it is their profession to understand nuances of the law, to inform me and my partner that if its not legal in my country then it wont be legal in canada as they are the experts in this and we are their clients.
From the sounds of it this is a common view.

Your whole point seems to be that the people who are in this situation are somehow foolish for not being professional experts in Canadian marriage law. That is an unreasonable expectation of two people wanting to simply get married.

Anonymous

Why is this offensive? It’s on them to understand the law where they live. can you seriously sit there and expect Canadians to tell Americans what laws they are Governed by? And no we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to poverty or “real” human rights issues. This Gay marriage/divorce debacle doesn’t come close to those in terms of importance, i’m sure any breathing human would agree. You comparing the two, makes me think, it is you, not me who should be giving their head a shake.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=767320392 Jennifer Birch

wow. that was probably the most ignorant thing i’ve ever read.
because it doesnt happen here in Canada should make it less offensive to us? we dont have as high a mortality or poverty rate as, lets say, Africa either. does that mean we should turn a blind eye and pretend it isnt happening.
Give your head a shake.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sthina-Sarojini/1285281537 Sthina Sarojini

Actually it does affect me, as things that affect my friends do affect me as well. It is emotionally distressing even if it does not apply to me. Also if this can happen under the radar then what other rights is Harper going to take away? This affects everybody.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_J3USFZHGQE4REBK5MBONN3OZ54 mike.cameron85

keep being a politician as your hobby.
Suzy Graham

Human rights is everybodies concern no matter what country it’s in. Maybe if you had a heart you’d realize that.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alicia-Chiasson/1002966504 Alicia Chiasson

Homeland. If you’re an immigrant and you are now living in Canada (as a citizen), you were legally married. If you married a Canadian citizen, you gained your citizenship through marriage, you were legally married. Because your native country does not permit it, you are no longer legally married. Did I get that wrong? If not, then it is against the Chart or at least a common sense of modern morality. The Government of Stephen Harper is taking us a step backwards. It is a first attack to the LGBT marriage legality in Canada. It is not the last. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear within the net few years that LGBT marriage is no longer legal or that all those that we performed before are nullified

Anonymous

Unfortunantly, you did get that wrong. You gained your citizenship and became a legal citizen of Canada. As a newly canadian citizen, your right to a same-sex marriage is now valid since you are under our flag. That’s the point really, an American and a Brit got married in Canada, they weren’t citizens, they don’t have that right. If they both officially became Canadian Citizens, they wouldn’t be in this situation.
Anonymous

Not to throw a stone, but you did get that wrong. As you said in your hypothetical scenario, you gained your citizenship through marriage. You are officially a citizen of Canada thus the marriage is legal and valid. The issue is because an American and a British Person (Brit?) came to Canada and got married in Canada, then expected their marriage to be valid in their own countries. It is a right for Canadian Citizens that hasn’t been spread accross the world.

Al Somike

Marc-André, are you advocating the reintroduction of capital punishment here? I believe you’re on the wrong message board. Then again, I’m not quite sure such a comment would be appropriate on any message board. Wishing death upon anyone is completely and utterly inhumane, even if you don’t agree with how that person is running his office. How would you think of Harper if he made comments along the lines of “I hope all of my opponents should die from a very painful death!”? Then perhaps you’d have something to complain about. But until he does, I would advise you to keep your criticisms to yourself, and wait until you know what is really going on here. For now, the most important thing for you and everybody to realize is that Harper did not somehow create this inconsistency between Canada’s marriage and divorce laws (which is the root of the problem which the author of the article above is attempting to write about) years ago when same-sex marriage was legalized. In fact, as I recall, it was not the Conservative Party who was even in office at that time.
Al Somike

Marc-André, are you advocating the reintroduction of capital punishment here? I believe you’re on the wrong message board. Then again, I’m not quite sure such a comment would be appropriate on any message board. Wishing death upon anyone is completely and utterly inhumane, even if you don’t agree with how that person is running his office. How would you think of Harper if he made comments along the lines of “I hope all of my opponents should die from a very painful death!”? Then perhaps you’d have something to complain about. But until he does, I would advise you to keep your criticisms to yourself, and wait until you know what is really going on here. For now, the most important thing for you and everybody to realize is that Harper did not somehow create this inconsistency between Canada’s marriage and divorce laws (which is the root of the problem which the author of the article above is attempting to write about) years ago when same-sex marriage was legalized. In fact, as I recall, it was not the Conservative Party who was even in office at that time.
Christian Hendren

What kind of person would wish death on another… WOW!!!
Christian Hendren

What kind of person would wish death on another… WOW!!!

http://www.facebook.com/people/Sthina-Sarojini/1285281537 Sthina Sarojini

I never thought I would until Harper came to power.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chreiya-Sonia-Zaari/100001967165977 Chreiya Sonia Zaari

The kind of person who doesn’t sit there and turn the other cheek like a nice little sheep.

Anonymous

This is rather sensationalized, this is about a lawyer who is arguing a case to win in a divorce application. http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120112/harper-same-sex-marriage-debate-questions-120112/20120112/?hub=OttawaHome
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=194002341 Darek M

This is just horrible
Anonymous

Ok, since my girlfriend and i are supposed to be married in Sarnia, Ontario on the Lake Huron shore in May i totally freaked and called the city of Sarnia. The City Clerk has received no information from the Canadian federal government that the law has indeed been reversed for non citizens. She is contacting her federal representative right away and will call me back with how this affects Americans, since we are in a unique position of having a federal law banning same sex marriage, but individual state laws allowing it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523606299 Seriel D’Jinn

it’s so god damned insulting! seriously if we are going to do that then lets just get rid of all marriage rights including hetero marriages. its all or nothing people. it’s an old idea of two people committing to each other and it’s as serious as we want it to be. if this is a religious thing..we need to seriously educate people about where marriage came from..people can get married without it being religious. it happened long before religion was around. if its a moral issue for trying to take away th right of same sex parents..then that’s horrid…children should be so lucky as to have 2 parents that love them…A LOT OF CHILDREN DON’T! and we are well aware now that being homo is not a choice…like if two homo parents raise a hetero kid small minded people are afraid they may end up homo…GASP! but that’s not the case as we well know. and even IF they did…WHO CARES?! it does not affect their ability to contribute to the community or society. So is it the Tax breaks? is the government worried about losing money? is it to not lose the vote of the conservatives? like..what is the reason? you cant say its immoral cus morals are a perspective..so first we need to know why..i dont have to agree with it but if i can understand where Harper is coming from then we can know how to change his mind and meet him. he is such a silly canadian..we need to kick him in the butt and get him to smarten up.
http://www.facebook.com/chet.crouch Chet Crouch

Did Sanatarium move to Canada?
Dylan Shumka-White

Booooooooooo. This is disgraceful.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523606299 Seriel D’Jinn

P.S. i;m still a proud Canadian! we were a country that became tolerant and accepting of all peoples. we DID have gay marriage legal. we will keep moving forward and next time we win the marriage rights back for all peoples, hetero or homo, we will make sure that it sticks! cus we are canadain! and we dont like small minded jerks!

p.s.s. anyone beside me just wish that we could collage prank Harper and sneak into his house and shave off his god awful hair? worst hair ever! seriously..looks like the biggest nerd ever.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=514782780 Rob Anthony

This journalist is both misleading people and this story is inaccurate. Thousands of marriages have NOT been dissolved. No marriages have been nullified. This has to do with one case and one set or arguments… one lawyer’s submissions. That’s all. A lawyer CANNOT nullify anything. Do not believe the crap this person wrote. Get the news from a more reputable source. Again, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. It has to do with the submissions of one lawyer regarding a divorce. Lawyers do not pass laws ladies and gentlemen. it’s one opinion. Nothing to worry about.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-J-Bethke/1602471662 Brian J Bethke

Thank You for the clarification Rob. There is so much misinformation out there these days.

http://www.facebook.com/rodrigo.lopezorozco Rodrigo Lopez Orozco

Wow, do you have ANY sources for this? CBC, Global and The Globe and Mail say that the issue WILL NOT BE REOPENED. You should really be more resposible with information.
Doug Ivanovic

Ok people. BUT If you do not have a Canadian Citizenship then why should you be entitled to our rights and freedoms ?

Anonymous

So how does that work for couples who live in any of the 6 US states that allow it? It seems that many conservatives react without thinking the whole process out.

Al Somike

It works like this: their marriage would be valid because same-sex marriage is allowed in their own place of residence.

Did you perhaps “react without thinking the whole process out”?

http://www.facebook.com/michael.fouquette Michael Fouquette

Valid except for all the federal rights, privileges, and benefits that the state still can’t enforce, like federal tax filing, social security benefits, etc. It’s still an incredibly limited status that is no way near any sort of equality. I wish y’all would get this. A state saying same-sex marriage is OK is barely scraping the surface on this issue. The inequality persists until the federal government recognizes full marriage equality. It’s just happy clap trap until then. I am in a “gays only water fountain” of a domestic partnership in my state. NO SAME-SEX COUPLE IS LEGALLY MARRIED IN THE U.S. until DOMA is repealed and equality is the law of the land. Even if someone is married in Massachusetts, they are NOT MARRIED in my state. This is exactly what the religious bigots were hoping for, that we’d be ignorant enough to be satisfied with having “the (black) help’s personal bathroom.”
http://www.facebook.com/michael.fouquette Michael Fouquette

Valid except for all the federal rights, privileges, and benefits that the state still can’t enforce, like federal tax filing, social security benefits, etc. It’s still an incredibly limited status that is no way near any sort of equality. I wish y’all would get this. A state saying same-sex marriage is OK is barely scraping the surface on this issue. The inequality persists until the federal government recognizes full marriage equality. It’s just happy clap trap until then. I am in a “gays only water fountain” of a domestic partnership in my state. NO SAME-SEX COUPLE IS LEGALLY MARRIED IN THE U.S. until DOMA is repealed and equality is the law of the land. Even if someone is married in Massachusetts, they are NOT MARRIED in my state. This is exactly what the religious bigots were hoping for, that we’d be ignorant enough to be satisfied with having “the (black) help’s personal bathroom.”

http://www.facebook.com/sbaileybryan Shaun Bryan

Yes, a symbolic act of committment and devotion mean nothing, nothing at all. You are so very, very smart. There, that’s my attempt at the patronizing conservatives do to small-minded, intellectual midgets. And why, may I ask, is it only “two gay guys” whose marriage and devotion to one another mean nothing in your clever and clearly informed annoymous posting to a blog on a complicated international legal matter?

Amanda Smith

Okay you took that a little too far lol. The person said that it meant nothing in their place of residence, not that it meant nothing to them. Your response is mildly excessive.
Amanda Smith

Okay you took that a little too far lol. The person said that it meant nothing in their place of residence, not that it meant nothing to them. Your response is mildly excessive.

http://www.facebook.com/pahokin.mahwheenir Pahokin Mahwheenir

Well the Story is BS in the first place and not at all true. So everyone that freaked out should be ashamed only because they believed this Tripe.

Do Some Research People!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523606299 Seriel D’Jinn

and for what little it counts..to all the gay men and women couples out there who are married…youre still married in my eyes. keep on lovin
http://www.facebook.com/callistazm Callista Maris

Does anyone know if this applies only to non-citizens of Canada? Or are couples from another country who have become legal citizens included in this?

Al Somike

If two people of the same sex move to Canada and become citizens and choose to get married in Canada, that is legal. So yes, the problem would only arise if you were a party to same-sex marriage in Canada when you do not, in fact, live in Canada but rather a place where same-sex marriage is not legal.

http://www.facebook.com/averymeah Avery Youso

But here’s the thing, was the same thing done to opposite-sex marriages?

Anonymous

Whether it was or not in their native countries, has nothing to do with the Canadian Divorce Act. This is actually more of an issue for the countries who do NOT support gay marriage than it does Canada.
Anonymous

Canada would have nothing to do with their divorce, either.

http://www.facebook.com/AbslomRob Robert Wrigley

I’m not sure I understand this. If they aren’t Canadian, then of what relevence is a Canadian marriage certificate in the first place other then as a symbolic (and in most cases, political) gesture? And if it IS just a symbolic gesture, then the gesture is just as valid today as it was yesterday.

http://www.paigeirene.webs.com/ Page Against The Machine

what about straight canadian couples that get married in places like hawaii? are they not married because it happened in the us?

Al Somike

Page,

I’m not sure I understand.

If you’re asking whether any marriage is invalid where it is performed in a country other than one’s own country of residence, the answer is no – not if it is a valid marriage according to the couple’s country of residence (Canada, in your example) and was performed in accordance with the required formalities in the country where the couple was wed.

Anonymous

…guess I should go tell my my coworker/best friend who just eloped in
Vegas that it didn’t really count and that it’s ‘pretty much just
symbolic’

*Sigh

Steven Hansen

you can get married in hawaii or mexico or wherever, but you will still apply for a Canadian marriage certificate. The ceremony can be anywhere in the universe but that certificate would be made out in your home country, in this case Canada. I was just in a wedding in Mexico, they flew back and went straight to finish up the paper work.

http://femmeguy.wordpress.com/ FemmeGuy

The problem is that the lawyer is suggesting that those Canadian marriages are not valid *even in Canada*, which seems ridiculous on its face. The gov’t can’t unilaterally “dissolve” those marriages, certainly not without a court ruling (which has not happened yet), but it’s worrisome and important to watch.
gerald morin

here here, these folks came to canada to get married because they could, presumably they would have married at home had that choice been available to them, presumably also, these folks are commited to each other forever, to me, this means that they are accepting the canadian marriage certificate as a SYMBOL of their love since it is obviously not valid at home, therefore its more of a political/ social / romantic statement than an expected legal document so… its legit if you believe it to be so, just like american money lol

Anonymous

Exactly, not valid at home. And it’s their responsibility to know that.
Anonymous

Exactly, not valid at home. And it’s their responsibility to know that.

gerald morin

here here, these folks came to canada to get married because they could, presumably they would have married at home had that choice been available to them, presumably also, these folks are commited to each other forever, to me, this means that they are accepting the canadian marriage certificate as a SYMBOL of their love since it is obviously not valid at home, therefore its more of a political/ social / romantic statement than an expected legal document so… its legit if you believe it to be so, just like american money lol
Anonymous

once again I have to write that I guess I will have to go tell my my coworker/best friend who just eloped in
Vegas that it didn’t really count and that it’s ‘pretty much just
symbolic’

*Sigh

Anonymous

What is ACTUALLY happening is that the couple seeking divorce, being non-Canadians, are not subject to the current Divorce Act, which is for Canadians married in Canada, not foreigners. While I cannot stand our Prime Minister, this has been angled incorrectly.
http://www.facebook.com/ronbachar Ron Bachar

its time to boycott Canada

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KDIOSF7BSBF6GXVAH3X5EQM65Q Leanne

Oh bit me, Candians aren’t the enemy it is all Governments the ,no culture classless people who ruin it for everyone else
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3DD4CCDW6MT2PF7T6VPU5G52RE Julie

If you are American, boycott away. the laws of your own country are more fucked up than the Canadian ones.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3DD4CCDW6MT2PF7T6VPU5G52RE Julie

If you are American, boycott away. the laws of your own country are more fucked up than the Canadian ones.

Joseph Martin

What an extremely poor article, do your blog & it’s readers a favour : RESEARCH.
Now you have dozens of people telling their spouses that they are not married. Nice job Kevin Farrell.
http://www.facebook.com/bassobryce Bryce Smith

These LGBT couples should sue the Canadian Government for the money they spent on the original ceremonies and the expenses incurred to travel to Canada and all of the money they spent while IN Canada. False advertising……right? They are accountable for the fact that they issued fake marriages in order to grow their tourist industry. Shameful.

Anonymous

Thinking like an American… “Who can we sue for this?!?!” Come off it…Tourism Canada does not, to my knowledge, have a “LGBT Paradise..Stay. Play. Get married” campaign.
Anonymous

Fail. Those who this affect are to blame completely for not understanding the Law of where they reside. If i want to get married in a destination spot, it’s my responsibility to find out the laws that go with that. No one to blame but themselves.

Ashley Wright

Okay people………. this “article” is scare-mongering and should not have even been posted without the “author” doing some real fact-searching.

There is a case in Toronto right now where a lesbian couple from Florida and England are seeking a divorce. They came to Canada to get married because same-sex marriage is not legal in their homes. The lawyer for one of the women is trying to use the argument that because their marriage wouldn’t be legally recognized in their home countries then it shouldn’t be recognized in Canada. If this were to win the ramifications would affect thousands of people around the world.

It’s just an argument that has come up in a divorce trial and is NOT ACTUAL FACT. What is fact is that the government has released a statement saying that they have no plans of revisiting the subject of same-sex marriage, be it Canadian Citizens or otherwise.
http://twitter.com/taliciawagner Talicia

Is it not similar to getting married in Mexico and it not being legal in Canada?

Anonymous

More like, if you get married in Mexico, and are from Canada, Mexico does not grant you the divorce.

Bobby Binko

So, I’m now wondering if we (out of country residents) can collectively sue the government of Canada for costs involved in regards to weddings? Because, they’ve basically run, for a decade or so, a scam. Let’s bring people and their families in, get their tourism dollars, charge them for a marriage license, and when they’re done, just say “SIKE!” and go on our merry way.
Pingback: Canada Goes from Gay Rights Beacon, to Discrimination Central -_- - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out
Anonymous

And here I was, thinking of beginning the arduous process of becoming an American expat in Canada. Apparently, nowhere is safe from baseless fuckery.
http://www.facebook.com/meg.orr Meg Orr

Ok, this story is false. What is happening is a revision of divorce law for gay married couple to divorce in Canada without being Canadian citizens. It’s a tricky situation, but the Canadian gov’t is trying to resolve the issue for them.
http://delwin.myopenid.com/ Delwin

This isn’t law, it is government opinion (and not unexpected given the Harper gov’t).

In any case there are many issues with marriages that Canada recognizes that another state does not if the married people are not residents of Canada. Canada only allows divorce for residents. If a foreign state doesn’t recognize the marriage that foreign state won’t perform a divorce and the foreign couple is stuck. Might be best for these people to be automatically divorced, and the marriage does nothing for them anyway if they aren’t residents of Canada or a state that recognizes their marriage.

Canada needs to fix their “must be resident to divorce” law.
Maggie Magdalane

It’s rare that I say this, but I am embarrassed to be Canadian right now. I had better see some improvement soon or I’ll be thinking of moving to another country….

Al Somike

Same-sex marriage is legal in Canada. Are you embarrassed by this?

If there is anything “Canadian” to be embarrased about, it is only that marriage licences were handed out to non-residents (who reside in places where same-sex marriage is not legal) when, according to the law, they should not have been. In other words, if “Canada” is at fault for anything, it is for giving false hope to individuals who were led to believe they could be married in Canada when they could not be (according to the laws of their own place of residence). If I am mistaken, someone please let me know.
Al Somike

Same-sex marriage is legal in Canada. Are you embarrassed by this?

If there is anything “Canadian” to be embarrased about, it is only that marriage licences were handed out to non-residents (who reside in places where same-sex marriage is not legal) when, according to the law, they should not have been. In other words, if “Canada” is at fault for anything, it is for giving false hope to individuals who were led to believe they could be married in Canada when they could not be (according to the laws of their own place of residence). If I am mistaken, someone please let me know.

http://twitter.com/Caitrionart Caitrionart

I don’t think he should be executed, that would be letting him off easy. I think he should be forced to see what it’s like to live without the luxuries he’s taken for granted from the Canadian public and others. He is an utterly vile and disgusting man and I hope some day he’ll be ashamed of the things he’s done to this country.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Misty-Fulk/576115636 Misty Fulk

I AM SO CONFUSED!!!!! How does this affect me? An american citizen, married to a canadian and living in canada? I’m not a canadian citizen and my home country doesnt recognize my marriage, so, AM I MARRIED?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KDIOSF7BSBF6GXVAH3X5EQM65Q Leanne

According to the Gov’t your not, but what the hell do they know. They aren’t Governing the Country either.
Doug Saunders

I hear ya there, one of us is Canadian, the other Indonesian, I am now very confused

Anonymous

Where do you live? That is whose divorce act you follow.
Anonymous

Where do you live? That is whose divorce act you follow.
Dene Dubois

Unfortunately im in the same boat Im australian our marriage is ilegal
Dene Dubois

Unfortunately im in the same boat Im australian our marriage is ilegal

Doug Saunders

I hear ya there, one of us is Canadian, the other Indonesian, I am now very confused

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=158900747 Shane Sea

As someone who does not share most views with the conservative government (and adamantly hate them), the title of this article is indeed misleading.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Misty-Fulk/576115636 Misty Fulk

also, if my marriage is nullified, does this affect my immigration status?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=711627521 Kerry Eady

WAIT!!! Its still before the courts – a dept of justice lawyer is arguing the legitimacy of same sex marriages where the parties come from countries where they can’t be legally married. I agree thats a crazy argument because our divorce laws require residency, but the government has not nullified the marriages yet. A JUDGE still has to rule and the Justice MINISTER has stated that they intend to ALLOW divorce for same sex couples.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000578588559 Arosebyanyother Nameisstillaro

This is absolutely absurd, AND a crime against human rights. People of the LGBT community are absolutely just as human as anyone else and deserve the same rights. I agree completely with the statements at the bottom. In my personal opinion, it is not only redundant but ridiculous to use the laws and freedoms of a persons homeland as a basis for a divorce in another country. The points made in this statement ”
that if gay marriages are now without legal standing in Canada if the couple’s homeland forbids them, are Middle Eastern women living in Canada now stripped of their rights to vote, drive a car, or even show their hair?” are absolutely valid.

If the Canadian government is capable of displacing the basic human right to marry in their country, what else are they capable of? This raises some very interesting questions indeed.
Caitlin Hayes

because this is sensible. Everyone deserves to be happy. . .
nothing like singling people out; and yet they preach about bullying…
hahaha.. Harper .. what a joke.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=518035091 Valerie Laurie

Okay,.while I certainly don’t like that this is happening, what it really means is that we didn’t have the right to marry these foreigners to begin with. In pretty much every country, there are laws about how long you have to be in a country before you can be married there. Anyone who’s had a destination wedding knows that. Canadians who are married are still married. This is a loophole in the law and only Harper’s reaction to closing that loophole (or not) will determine how ideologically messed up this country is becoming.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=721405719 Jaime Demperio

Shame on you, Harper. Shame on you.
Aaron Koo

God dammit Kevin. How many times do we have to have the divorced, not divorced discussion?
Kate Woltz

So then are they no longer married if they go on vacation in Florida? What if one of them was maimed in a car accident? Would the hospital refuse to admit the partner because the state doesn’t recognize other marriages? No, which is why states are required to recognize marriages performed in other nations and states . Otherwise you couldn’t have destination weddings. I think the point is that it’s stupid that gay people don’t have that right when straight people do.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nicole-Scott/549450599 Nicole Scott

Harper is an idiot. I keep wondering why people re-elect him.

Anonymous

For the same reason the Liberals fell into oblivion. People want a country run by grown ups, not thieves who are only here to help themselves.
Anonymous

For the same reason the Liberals fell into oblivion. People want a country run by grown ups, not thieves who are only here to help themselves.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1186686777 Madeleine Magrathea Gomery

What’s that? I couldn’t hear you over the noise of Peter MacKay’s tax-funded military-issue helicopter…
Anonymous

Hobby it would appear you are one of Harpers biggest fans you probably worshipped Gordo as well.I wonder how you feel as more and more we have these children running the country not listening to the people who have been given the right to represent us.Bottom line they do as they are told by the leader there is only a handful that actually do what they were elected to do.Believe me I feel you have the right to say and support which ever political view you see fit however stay on that side when you lose more of your rights under this government

Kate Woltz

Or rather, the lawyers in this case are attempting to reverse the policy. Having read a few other accounts of this, it isn’t really the government yet. But all the same, I think the point stands. If the couples were legally married, then they are legally married now.
Al Somike

To clarify, all of this hooplah is not about Canada (or “Stephen
Harper”) telling people they do not have valid marriages because they
were performed outside their respective places of residence; rather, it is about the lawmakers in places like Florida telling their own residents that they cannot simply get married in contravention of Florida’s laws by running to Canada, where same-sex marriage is legal.
Al Somike

To clarify, all of this hooplah is not about Canada (or “Stephen
Harper”) telling people they do not have valid marriages because they
were performed outside their respective places of residence; rather, it is about the lawmakers in places like Florida telling their own residents that they cannot simply contravene the state’s marriage laws by running to Canada and getting married there.
Jamie West

I see that the slippry slope has once again been approched by another group of

conservative, have they not figured out that not only will there targets be affected, but also their supporters as well. A great example was the political campain in Jamaica were the ruling party choose to vilify the LGBT community and this helped them loose the election.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KDIOSF7BSBF6GXVAH3X5EQM65Q Leanne

Well Harper.Guess I as a married woman to a man is no longer valid as married…or My grandparents that came here in the early 1900′s are Canadians anymore. You can not take the rights of ANYONE away and think people will be your puppy and roll over for you. So Harper Gov’t “JUMP” why? because I as a Canadian person am the Country not some prissed up deep fried morons that sit in a fancy seat and tell me who I am.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Erica-Cook/100000628613592 Erica Cook

There’s going to be a huge backlash.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1754932580 Tyler Wilkins

So dumb. honestly. same sex marriage is nothing more then two people of the same sex getting married. there is nothing wrong with that.Why do straight people get these rights and we dont ? why are we treated differently because we were BORN different. So stupid.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1754932580 Tyler Wilkins

So dumb. honestly. same sex marriage is nothing more then two people of the same sex getting married. there is nothing wrong with that.Why do straight people get these rights and we dont ? why are we treated differently because we were BORN different. So stupid.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1754932580 Tyler Wilkins

So dumb. honestly. same sex marriage is nothing more then two people of the same sex getting married. there is nothing wrong with that.Why do straight people get these rights and we dont ? why are we treated differently because we were BORN different. So stupid.
http://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hornby Stephanie Jayne Hornby

To comment to Mr. Savage, there are also straight people around the world supporting the LGBT community with this. This is not just about the LGBIT community, but rights for ALL people. This Harper government does NOT represent who we are as Canadians. This is shameful to see.
http://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hornby Stephanie Jayne Hornby

To comment to Mr. Savage, there are also straight people around the world supporting the LGBT community with this. This is not just about the LGBIT community, but rights for ALL people. This Harper government does NOT represent who we are as Canadians. This is shameful to see.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=679391261 Ryan Stephen MacDonald

Calm down. It is the Ontario government that is saying all this. The Harper government will be reinstating a law to ensure that all the non-resident couples are still legally married. Should take a day or two.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=679391261 Ryan Stephen MacDonald

Calm down. It is the Ontario government that is saying all this. The Harper government will be reinstating a law to ensure that all the non-resident couples are still legally married. Should take a day or two.
http://www.facebook.com/aaron.banfield Aaron Banfield

This article is incorrect!
http://www.facebook.com/aaron.banfield Aaron Banfield

This article is incorrect!
Doug Saunders

So we live in Canada and my husband is Indonesian with permanent residency, does that now mean we are no longer married?
Doug Saunders

So we live in Canada and my husband is Indonesian with permanent residency, does that now mean we are no longer married?
http://www.facebook.com/lenlangevin Len Langevin

Actually, this has more to do with the fact that Canadian law cannot extend beyond its borders and apply to non residents of Canada. Same-sex marriages between Canadians and legal Canadian residents are still valid.

to put things in perspective, if I went to a country where polygamy is legal and married 5 women, that marriage would not be valid in Canada because it does not recognize polygamous unions.
http://www.facebook.com/lenlangevin Len Langevin

Actually, this has more to do with the fact that Canadian law cannot extend beyond its borders and apply to non residents of Canada. Same-sex marriages between Canadians and legal Canadian residents are still valid.

to put things in perspective, if I went to a country where polygamy is legal and married 5 women, that marriage would not be valid in Canada because it does not recognize polygamous unions.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Virgo-Elizabeth-LaVierge/1181809716 Virgo Elizabeth LaVierge

Goddammit.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Virgo-Elizabeth-LaVierge/1181809716 Virgo Elizabeth LaVierge

Goddammit.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=595941322 Bruce Bursey

While this is shocking news — your account is misleading. This case is now before the courts and we are waiting to hear how the court will decided and then what remedy they recommend or require. You have presumed the court decision before it has been rendered.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=595941322 Bruce Bursey

While this is shocking news — your account is misleading. This case is now before the courts and we are waiting to hear how the court will decided and then what remedy they recommend or require. You have presumed the court decision before it has been rendered.
Pingback: Globalisierung des Wahnsinns: Canada | quereinstieg
http://www.facebook.com/michael.fouquette Michael Fouquette

This isn’t news. Any couple who thought that getting legally same-sex married in a foreign country had any legal standing back in their “marriage inequalty” country had done no research. This is the way it has been since this became an issue back in the 90′s. It blows. But this is nothing new. If you sign a contract in a foreign country that is not legal in your home country, it is still illegal at home.
http://www.facebook.com/michael.fouquette Michael Fouquette

This isn’t news. Any couple who thought that getting legally same-sex married in a foreign country had any legal standing back in their “marriage inequalty” country had done no research. This is the way it has been since this became an issue back in the 90′s. It blows. But this is nothing new. If you sign a contract in a foreign country that is not legal in your home country, it is still illegal at home.
Nicole Gillis

What if…let’s say, a Canadian was wed (to whichever sex) in another country, and the shoe was on the other foot. We’re all humans, we should be fighting for all of our rights and freedoms together.
Nicole Gillis

What if…let’s say, a Canadian was wed (to whichever sex) in another country, and the shoe was on the other foot. We’re all humans, we should be fighting for all of our rights and freedoms together.

Anonymous

In ugly divorce, ugly divorce lawyers will resort to anything… out-of-country straight marriages are contested for validity or for annulments all the time.
Anonymous

In ugly divorce, ugly divorce lawyers will resort to anything… out-of-country straight marriages are contested for validity or for annulments all the time.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=590670354 Stef Guillard

I don’t understand. They specifically didn’t say that ALL people’s marriages aren’t valid. They just stated that the people in this example were not married because their marriage wasn’t valid in their place of residence. If someone lived in Canada but went and got married in Mexico they would still have to apply for a marriage lic. in Canada. That wouldn’t mean they weren’t “married”, just not in Canada. I don’t see anything in this article that mentions any of the history of this decision. When it was made, who approved it, or what it was called. Does anyone know more information on this?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=590670354 Stef Guillard

I don’t understand. They specifically didn’t say that ALL people’s marriages aren’t valid. They just stated that the people in this example were not married because their marriage wasn’t valid in their place of residence. If someone lived in Canada but went and got married in Mexico they would still have to apply for a marriage lic. in Canada. That wouldn’t mean they weren’t “married”, just not in Canada. I don’t see anything in this article that mentions any of the history of this decision. When it was made, who approved it, or what it was called. Does anyone know more information on this?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2GMKXXIWDXHKUVN4HA6XKDQ6QY A Canadian Atheist

Bull.
It would take, quite literally, an act of Parliament to change the already existing law.
I smell some BS with this story and it’s coming from the “let’s hate Harper for no real reason” brigade…

Meagan Hatt

Yeah I can’t understand how people haven’t picked up on the fact that, Marriage is a federally mandated institute and Divorce and Family law is all provincial. There is nothing to worry about as far as gay marriage in Canada goes and not a single marriage has been nullified or is planning to be nullified. Thank you for finally pointing this out to people..lol
Meagan Hatt

Yeah I can’t understand how people haven’t picked up on the fact that, Marriage is a federally mandated institute and Divorce and Family law is all provincial. There is nothing to worry about as far as gay marriage in Canada goes and not a single marriage has been nullified or is planning to be nullified. Thank you for finally pointing this out to people..lol

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2GMKXXIWDXHKUVN4HA6XKDQ6QY A Canadian Atheist

Bull.
It would take, quite literally, an act of Parliament to change the already existing law.
I smell some BS with this story and it’s coming from the “let’s hate Harper for no real reason” brigade…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1127157964 Eddy Sutton

You need to chill out! This wasn’t an attack!

What happened was two NON-Canadians married under canadian law, but left the country. Now seeking divorce, they find that they don’t fill the requirement for canadian divorce law. Furthermore, canadian law does NOT apply to foreingners, or at least, not in this case.

And don’t go screaming bloody murder, when simply, that is not the case. People didn’t wake up to find themselves ‘divorced’, but to their marriages losing their validity, which is just as unfortunate, granted, but the words mean two different things!

I am Canadian, and I am ashamed of my government at this present moment, because they are refusing to recognize a problem and don’t seem to want to fix it. I was proud of the fact Canada was very liberal and open-minded. I am also 200% for same-sex marriage, but I don’t appreciate it when someone bashes my country unjustly.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1127157964 Eddy Sutton

You need to chill out! This wasn’t an attack!

What happened was two NON-Canadians married under canadian law, but left the country. Now seeking divorce, they find that they don’t fill the requirement for canadian divorce law. Furthermore, canadian law does NOT apply to foreingners, or at least, not in this case.

And don’t go screaming bloody murder, when simply, that is not the case. People didn’t wake up to find themselves ‘divorced’, but to their marriages losing their validity, which is just as unfortunate, granted, but the words mean two different things!

I am Canadian, and I am ashamed of my government at this present moment, because they are refusing to recognize a problem and don’t seem to want to fix it. I was proud of the fact Canada was very liberal and open-minded. I am also 200% for same-sex marriage, but I don’t appreciate it when someone bashes my country unjustly.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Arachnia-Cherrystems/100000157508980 Arachnia Cherrystems

This is sick. Why do people even vote for Harper? I will never understand. He is a bigot and an all around evil person.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Arachnia-Cherrystems/100000157508980 Arachnia Cherrystems

This is sick. Why do people even vote for Harper? I will never understand. He is a bigot and an all around evil person.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=502670912 Shauna Taylor

While this is upsetting I do see the logic behind it. if gay marriage wasn’t legal at the time and place that you got married, technically it was not a legal marriage to begin with. If you wanted to have a legal marriage, you should have done it somewhere where it is actually legal…like Canada. if you got married IN Canada, you’re fine and this does not affect you.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=502670912 Shauna Taylor

While this is upsetting I do see the logic behind it. if gay marriage wasn’t legal at the time and place that you got married, technically it was not a legal marriage to begin with. If you wanted to have a legal marriage, you should have done it somewhere where it is actually legal…like Canada. if you got married IN Canada, you’re fine and this does not affect you.
leah maholmes

What the hell this is so messed up! Why is our world so corrupt? Speaking as a 16 year old I think the closed minded adults need to open there eyes and realize that there’s nothing wrong with two people of the same sex marry. Us kids don’t care if two guys or two girls are together and if we do mind it’s because we’re told to dislike and hate LGBT people by the older generation. They deserve the right to marry the person they love. We are ALL people after all. I wish I could just go back in time and kick whoever decided being gay was wrong.
leah maholmes

What the hell this is so messed up! Why is our world so corrupt? Speaking as a 16 year old I think the closed minded adults need to open there eyes and realize that there’s nothing wrong with two people of the same sex marry. Us kids don’t care if two guys or two girls are together and if we do mind it’s because we’re told to dislike and hate LGBT people by the older generation. They deserve the right to marry the person they love. We are ALL people after all. I wish I could just go back in time and kick whoever decided being gay was wrong.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513017146 Matt Clarke

READ THE LEGAL TERMS!
This ONLY applies to NON-CANADIANS (people who visit here to get married or live here less than a year).
If they live here for a year, they can get divorced/married. If they visit here and return home then their marriage is more so “symbolic” and Canadian law cannot tell another country that “Yes these people are married because we married them”. Sorry, but Candian rights apply only to Canadian citizens.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513017146 Matt Clarke

READ THE LEGAL TERMS!
This ONLY applies to NON-CANADIANS (people who visit here to get married or live here less than a year).
If they live here for a year, they can get divorced/married. If they visit here and return home then their marriage is more so “symbolic” and Canadian law cannot tell another country that “Yes these people are married because we married them”. Sorry, but Candian rights apply only to Canadian citizens.

Anonymous

It’s that simple. But they don’t want to see that.
Anonymous

It’s that simple. But they don’t want to see that.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Thomas/648180190 Christopher Thomas

I have never been more ashamed of people in my life. To have the gall, the audacity to call this a, quote, “Savage and unprecedented attack on LGBT people.” is mind-boggling. This isn’t an attack on us, it’s a political move, perhaps one to garner attention or to build a relationship with a possible foreign leader that may or may not be changing in the next few months. Whatever the reason, this doesn’t affect Canadians who are gay and married, and it doesn’t affect gays who got married in Canada and then moved away either. Any state that didn’t already recognize gay marriage can choose to not recognize a gay marriage performed in Canada, making your marriage no more legal then if you were married in your own state. Just because there are incongruities between our marriage law and that of other country’s does not mean that Canada, or that demon Harper, are to blame. Saying you’re ashamed to be a Canadian or calling for the death of our leader are both misinformed, misguided and, quite frankly, childish reactions. I urge anyone who actually cares about this issue to actually go out and look at information related to this issue that isn’t coming from a biased, immature writer. There, I’ve said my peace, now you all have a nice day.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Thomas/648180190 Christopher Thomas

I have never been more ashamed of people in my life. To have the gall, the audacity to call this a, quote, “Savage and unprecedented attack on LGBT people.” is mind-boggling. This isn’t an attack on us, it’s a political move, perhaps one to garner attention or to build a relationship with a possible foreign leader that may or may not be changing in the next few months. Whatever the reason, this doesn’t affect Canadians who are gay and married, and it doesn’t affect gays who got married in Canada and then moved away either. Any state that didn’t already recognize gay marriage can choose to not recognize a gay marriage performed in Canada, making your marriage no more legal then if you were married in your own state. Just because there are incongruities between our marriage law and that of other country’s does not mean that Canada, or that demon Harper, are to blame. Saying you’re ashamed to be a Canadian or calling for the death of our leader are both misinformed, misguided and, quite frankly, childish reactions. I urge anyone who actually cares about this issue to actually go out and look at information related to this issue that isn’t coming from a biased, immature writer. There, I’ve said my peace, now you all have a nice day.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=883015491 Chris Wilson-Frenken Sheppard

This article should state that the ‘Harper Government’ dissolved same sex marriages as per PMO office and many media outlets. Canadians have lost their say with this government.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=883015491 Chris Wilson-Frenken Sheppard

This article should state that the ‘Harper Government’ dissolved same sex marriages as per PMO office and many media outlets. Canadians have lost their say with this government.
Anonymous

“place of residence” .. “home country” … please get your terminology straight. Those two have completely different meaning under legal law.
Anonymous

“place of residence” .. “home country” … please get your terminology straight. Those two have completely different meaning under legal law.
http://gearjock.livejournal.com/ Mark Ryler

Well allow me to fire the opening salvo Mr Prime Minister, I just called our travel agent and cancelled our vacation to Toronto in June. I will opt for another destination.

Anonymous

Judging a nation of people by its leader is narrow-minded, to say the least. A country is many, many things. And our whole country even allows its gay CITIZENS to get married. Maybe this couple should have moved to a US state where their marriage would be valid, so that they could divorce more easily. Poor planning, ladies.
Anonymous

Judging a nation of people by its leader is narrow-minded, to say the least. A country is many, many things. And our whole country even allows its gay CITIZENS to get married. Maybe this couple should have moved to a US state where their marriage would be valid, so that they could divorce more easily. Poor planning, ladies.
Anonymous

Yes, and that’s your right, but even if you got married in Jamaica….it’s still not legal in your country.
Anonymous

Yes, and that’s your right, but even if you got married in Jamaica….it’s still not legal in your country.

http://gearjock.livejournal.com/ Mark Ryler

Well allow me to fire the opening salvo Mr Prime Minister, I just called our travel agent and cancelled our vacation to Toronto in June. I will opt for another destination.
http://www.facebook.com/savannah.spalding Savannah Lynne Spalding

it may not effect you if you are Canadian but but to alot of same sex couples who love each other enough to come to canada to get married its just not fair. i think everyone should have a chance to express that love in w/e country they choose to.
http://www.facebook.com/savannah.spalding Savannah Lynne Spalding

it may not effect you if you are Canadian but but to alot of same sex couples who love each other enough to come to canada to get married its just not fair. i think everyone should have a chance to express that love in w/e country they choose to.
http://www.facebook.com/pritchardjoel Joel Pritchard

this is not right i do not like seeing my FLAGE of Canada with the gay FLAGE this is pissing me off
http://www.facebook.com/pritchardjoel Joel Pritchard

this is not right i do not like seeing my FLAGE of Canada with the gay FLAGE this is pissing me off
http://twitter.com/eyates16 Emily Yates

I can’t believe that Harper would actually do this- what’s next taking away our right to marry in our Country. I have never liked Harper, and would never vote for him, but he has now just lost every last ounce of respect I had for the guy! – Sure it doesn’t affect me directly as I am a Canadian citizen, but I can see where this may be headed
http://www.facebook.com/pritchardjoel Joel Pritchard

I DO NOT LIKE SEEING MY FLAGE OF CANADA ON THE GAY FLAGE THIS IS PISSING ME OFF

Anonymous

I am saddened to see a fellow adult Canadian unable to spell the word “FLAG” or use correct punctuation. Apparently our school system has as many holes as our Divorce Act!
Anonymous

I am saddened to see a fellow adult Canadian unable to spell the word “FLAG” or use correct punctuation. Apparently our school system has as many holes as our Divorce Act!
Suzy Graham

Than don’t look at it. You have that right still.

http://www.facebook.com/pritchardjoel Joel Pritchard

I DO NOT LIKE SEEING MY FLAGE OF CANADA ON THE GAY FLAGE THIS IS PISSING ME OFF
Anonymous

re: “this attack on LGBT people” (third paragraph from the bottom).

This isn’t an attack on T people. Just LGB. Hetero T’s from lands who don’t support gay marriage can still marry, the ones who did marry still have valid marriages, and their marriage isn’t “gay marriage.”
Anonymous

re: “this attack on LGBT people” (third paragraph from the bottom).

This isn’t an attack on T people. Just LGB. Hetero T’s from lands who don’t support gay marriage can still marry, the ones who did marry still have valid marriages, and their marriage isn’t “gay marriage.”
http://www.facebook.com/roxas.saix RoXas Saix

This never even happened… I’m glad to see so many people doing their research. Also, the author of this article needs to publish an apology for making SH out to be a bad guy when he’s not. The only bad one here is the judge (who should be fired) for misinforming this couple, and perhaps the author for not doing their research and upsetting people greatly because of it.
http://www.facebook.com/roxas.saix RoXas Saix

This never even happened… I’m glad to see so many people doing their research. Also, the author of this article needs to publish an apology for making SH out to be a bad guy when he’s not. The only bad one here is the judge (who should be fired) for misinforming this couple, and perhaps the author for not doing their research and upsetting people greatly because of it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1678793184 Leo Alexander Stone

Why couldn’t harper have died instead of Jack Layton?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1678793184 Leo Alexander Stone

Why couldn’t harper have died instead of Jack Layton?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1625629230 Becca Edgar

I mean I know I’m a Canadian but this is unbelievable and that’s being honest. Who would do this, can you imagine how many people are going to be outraged that their officially no longer married? That’s huge, and just wrong in my opinion.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1625629230 Becca Edgar

I mean I know I’m a Canadian but this is unbelievable and that’s being honest. Who would do this, can you imagine how many people are going to be outraged that their officially no longer married? That’s huge, and just wrong in my opinion.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=517128299 Jonathan Yetman

This only affects people who
came to Canada to get married, who don’t live in Canada, and whose
country of origin does not allow gay and lesbian to get hitched. The
reason this whole thing happened is because a lesbian couple wanted a
divorce and could not get there divorce in the US nor Canada cause they
are Americans and have no residency in Canada. There for the US cant
give them a divorce cause its illegal in the first place to get hitched,
and Canada can divorce them cause they don’t technically live here.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=517128299 Jonathan Yetman

This only affects people who
came to Canada to get married, who don’t live in Canada, and whose
country of origin does not allow gay and lesbian to get hitched. The
reason this whole thing happened is because a lesbian couple wanted a
divorce and could not get there divorce in the US nor Canada cause they
are Americans and have no residency in Canada. There for the US cant
give them a divorce cause its illegal in the first place to get hitched,
and Canada can divorce them cause they don’t technically live here.
Anonymous

maybe I’m not fully understanding it, but the people in question got married in Canada, where it is legal for same sex couple to marry, but thenreturned to there home were it isn’t legal, and you all are bitching?

Seriously, it’s illegal in their home countries. I can’t very well bring something that is legal in one country and bring it into a country that it’s illegal.

Anonymous

Amen.
Anonymous

Amen.

Anonymous

maybe I’m not fully understanding it, but the people in question got married in Canada, where it is legal for same sex couple to marry, but thenreturned to there home were it isn’t legal, and you all are bitching?

Seriously, it’s illegal in their home countries. I can’t very well bring something that is legal in one country and bring it into a country that it’s illegal.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1625629230 Becca Edgar

I’m Canadian, but I mean in my opinion this is just wrong. I mean could you imagine how many people are going to be outraged about this? Especially knowing they are no longer married thanks to this. I honestly feel horrible for all who are going through this.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1625629230 Becca Edgar

I’m Canadian, but I mean in my opinion this is just wrong. I mean could you imagine how many people are going to be outraged about this? Especially knowing they are no longer married thanks to this. I honestly feel horrible for all who are going through this.
Anonymous

wow..hmmm isnt it enough that all you government leaders take what u can from people who actually work(,not like u who pretend to work.and give yourselfs big pay checks..) and still get even after your term is up…and you want to take something away from a couple who just want to be happy..and why becaue they are the same sex..same sex or not everyone deserves to be happy…really..you all need to actually start thinking about the people instead of your own little selfish reasons.grow up..do you know homofobes are homofobs for a reason..its because they are trying to hide something within them selfs..think about that…there are children who are being neglected ,who are being born to drugs,and abused..i think maybe all you people in the government should actually put your focus where it is needed instead of something so lame like same sex marriage,,LIKE ACTUALLY BE THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED IT,instead of ruining lives….WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO START CARING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY NEED CARING…
Anonymous

wow..hmmm isnt it enough that all you government leaders take what u can from people who actually work(,not like u who pretend to work.and give yourselfs big pay checks..) and still get even after your term is up…and you want to take something away from a couple who just want to be happy..and why becaue they are the same sex..same sex or not everyone deserves to be happy…really..you all need to actually start thinking about the people instead of your own little selfish reasons.grow up..do you know homofobes are homofobs for a reason..its because they are trying to hide something within them selfs..think about that…there are children who are being neglected ,who are being born to drugs,and abused..i think maybe all you people in the government should actually put your focus where it is needed instead of something so lame like same sex marriage,,LIKE ACTUALLY BE THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED IT,instead of ruining lives….WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO START CARING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY NEED CARING…
http://twitter.com/sabanski_n Nathaniel Sabanski

I was seriously shocked at first, now it feels like I need to check the sources on this piece. If this is sensationalized, you’ve destroyed your journalistic integrity and need to clear things up.
http://twitter.com/sabanski_n Nathaniel Sabanski

I was seriously shocked at first, now it feels like I need to check the sources on this piece. If this is sensationalized, you’ve destroyed your journalistic integrity and need to clear things up.
http://www.facebook.com/kelorii Donovan Kelorii

I am very much straight, but THIS… this… SICKENS me… Harper government has been desperately trying to shoot themselves in the feet for a while… but now they just shot themselves in the face (figuratively speaking). This is a throwback of DECADES… this is a small minded man ~ backed by small minded people… I’m embarrassed often to call myself ‘Canadian’ for a variety of reasons… but this is the FIRST time I’ve been ASHAMED to call myself Canadian. Canada – wake the f*** up – vote this man OUT of government… lest we have another Hitler on our hands.
http://www.facebook.com/kelorii Donovan Kelorii

I am very much straight, but THIS… this… SICKENS me… Harper government has been desperately trying to shoot themselves in the feet for a while… but now they just shot themselves in the face (figuratively speaking). This is a throwback of DECADES… this is a small minded man ~ backed by small minded people… I’m embarrassed often to call myself ‘Canadian’ for a variety of reasons… but this is the FIRST time I’ve been ASHAMED to call myself Canadian. Canada – wake the f*** up – vote this man OUT of government… lest we have another Hitler on our hands.
Anonymous

This “facts” in this article are absolutely false. Do your research and fact-checking UB, rather than spread such inaccurate information. You are horribly irresponsible — what exactly are your journalism credentials anyway?

The “true facts” are: “No one’s marriage has been invalidated or is likely to be invalidated.
The position taken by one government lawyer in a divorce is not itself
precedential.”

Read the statement by “Freedom to Marry:”
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/canadian-marriages-of-same-sex-couples-are-not-in-jeopardy

UB, you have done a disservice the the community by spreading these lies!
Anonymous

This “facts” in this article are absolutely false. Do your research and fact-checking UB, rather than spread such inaccurate information. You are horribly irresponsible — what exactly are your journalism credentials anyway?

The “true facts” are: “No one’s marriage has been invalidated or is likely to be invalidated.
The position taken by one government lawyer in a divorce is not itself
precedential.”

Read the statement by “Freedom to Marry:”
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/canadian-marriages-of-same-sex-couples-are-not-in-jeopardy

UB, you have done a disservice the the community by spreading these lies!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=566293571 Tasha Van Den Eeckhout

Wouldn’t you want to become a better country? Why would Harper purpose this nuisance if he KNEW that it was going to cause propaganda and controversy? Wouldn’t he want their votes? It’s 2012, not 1980, people need to get a grip. Women have rights, we are given the right to speak and we are also allowed to love. 150 species on this earth embrace homosexuality, but we as humans are the first to have homophobia. Pathetic Harper. Absolutely pathetic. You wanted a fight, you are sure going to get it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=566293571 Tasha Van Den Eeckhout

Wouldn’t you want to become a better country? Why would Harper purpose this nuisance if he KNEW that it was going to cause propaganda and controversy? Wouldn’t he want their votes? It’s 2012, not 1980, people need to get a grip. Women have rights, we are given the right to speak and we are also allowed to love. 150 species on this earth embrace homosexuality, but we as humans are the first to have homophobia. Pathetic Harper. Absolutely pathetic. You wanted a fight, you are sure going to get it.
http://www.facebook.com/UrbanMechanic Sean Bender

and the Canadians just thought they were getting a fiscally conservative, socially moderate type! Ha! This guy is basically pulling the same stunt as Southern Whites in the USA back in the Jim Crow era…in that case to prevent interracial marriage. Welcome to the club of shame y’all!
http://www.facebook.com/UrbanMechanic Sean Bender

and the Canadians just thought they were getting a fiscally conservative, socially moderate type! Ha! This guy is basically pulling the same stunt as Southern Whites in the USA back in the Jim Crow era…in that case to prevent interracial marriage. Welcome to the club of shame y’all!
http://twitter.com/SevenDead1ySinz Jason Boyd

I am going to weigh in on this hugely debatable topic, but perhaps in another direction.

While I agree that just reversing legal (at the time) marriages is wrong, and most likely this will soon be dealt with by the courts, I am left to wonder how many of these marriages being nullified included couples in which one of the partners was not a legal resident of Canada. If these couples used the fact that Canada allows same-sex marriage to bring one of the partners to Canada and become a legal citizen through marriage, then I feel that those marriages should be nullified. It would not be hard for that person to complete the citizenship requirements, become a legal citizen, and then remarry.. after all, it is only a piece of paper which carry with it some benefits. I have a hard time believing that they just nullified all marriages in-which one or both of the partners were ever not a Canadian citizen.
http://twitter.com/SevenDead1ySinz Jason Boyd

I am going to weigh in on this hugely debatable topic, but perhaps in another direction.

While I agree that just reversing legal (at the time) marriages is wrong, and most likely this will soon be dealt with by the courts, I am left to wonder how many of these marriages being nullified included couples in which one of the partners was not a legal resident of Canada. If these couples used the fact that Canada allows same-sex marriage to bring one of the partners to Canada and become a legal citizen through marriage, then I feel that those marriages should be nullified. It would not be hard for that person to complete the citizenship requirements, become a legal citizen, and then remarry.. after all, it is only a piece of paper which carry with it some benefits. I have a hard time believing that they just nullified all marriages in-which one or both of the partners were ever not a Canadian citizen.
Cristina Marrero

This is not Canada’s fault. Politicians are playing games with people’s lives. For what reason exactly? I am not sure. But lives are being turned upside down because of legal loop holes. There lies the issue. Recalling a marriage is a bit more complex/emotional than recalling bad carrots.
Cristina Marrero

This is not Canada’s fault. Politicians are playing games with people’s lives. For what reason exactly? I am not sure. But lives are being turned upside down because of legal loop holes. There lies the issue. Recalling a marriage is a bit more complex/emotional than recalling bad carrots.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513936920 Aaron Thompson

Throw the bumb out! This is terrible and it’s only the beginning of whats to come from this government, Now with a majority Canada is his own personal sandbox to terrorize.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513936920 Aaron Thompson

Throw the bumb out! This is terrible and it’s only the beginning of whats to come from this government, Now with a majority Canada is his own personal sandbox to terrorize.
http://twitter.com/BobAKABuffy BobAKABuffy

BLAME CANADA!
http://twitter.com/BobAKABuffy BobAKABuffy

BLAME CANADA!
Anonymous

I think it stems from the fact that it will tie up Canada’s legal system and not the country they are from because they can’t get a divorce from a country that doesn’t recognize it so they will have to come back to Canada to divorce which will cost the tax payers lots of money and tie up our courts. It’s not a homophobic thing.
Anonymous

I think it stems from the fact that it will tie up Canada’s legal system and not the country they are from because they can’t get a divorce from a country that doesn’t recognize it so they will have to come back to Canada to divorce which will cost the tax payers lots of money and tie up our courts. It’s not a homophobic thing.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WBMUNARL3T4BRM75ZUYRCUR72U C Cyre

This is not real and this is not journalism.
Everyone please do some research before embarrassing yourselves.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WBMUNARL3T4BRM75ZUYRCUR72U C Cyre

This is not real and this is not journalism.
Everyone please do some research before embarrassing yourselves.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501826816 Fiona Olivier

dear friends of the LGBT community,

Although I agree that this is distressing, this is not factual information. It was infact several years ago that the liberal party lawed that weddings of LGBT couples from elsewhere than canada are not legally recognized. This is not new… And as much as I can’t deal with Harper on his good days, this has nothing to do with his government. What has happened is that an old ruling has been brought back up and people are seeing it the wrong way. It is unfortunate that marriages of foreign LGBT community performed in Canada are not legally recognized, but the rights are not being revoked, and nothing is changing. However, hopefully since this is now being brought to our attention the Canadian government may re-evaluate this issue. You never know, maybe due to this Canada will make gay marriages in Canada legal for foreign brides and grooms… But please calm down and realize that no new homophobic moves are being made, this is simply a someone restating a law that has been in existence for years.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501826816 Fiona Olivier

dear friends of the LGBT community,

Although I agree that this is distressing, this is not factual information. It was infact several years ago that the liberal party lawed that weddings of LGBT couples from elsewhere than canada are not legally recognized. This is not new… And as much as I can’t deal with Harper on his good days, this has nothing to do with his government. What has happened is that an old ruling has been brought back up and people are seeing it the wrong way. It is unfortunate that marriages of foreign LGBT community performed in Canada are not legally recognized, but the rights are not being revoked, and nothing is changing. However, hopefully since this is now being brought to our attention the Canadian government may re-evaluate this issue. You never know, maybe due to this Canada will make gay marriages in Canada legal for foreign brides and grooms… But please calm down and realize that no new homophobic moves are being made, this is simply a someone restating a law that has been in existence for years.
Anonymous

Why are people blaming Harper? Wasn’t gay marriage fought for and won by the liberals?
Anonymous

Why are people blaming Harper? Wasn’t gay marriage fought for and won by the liberals?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ian-Brennan/100001083697455 Ian Brennan

this isnt real this is a false article the canadian goverment is making it easier for foreign same sex couples to divorce thats all
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ian-Brennan/100001083697455 Ian Brennan

this isnt real this is a false article the canadian goverment is making it easier for foreign same sex couples to divorce thats all
Anonymous

It’s this segregation that makes me sick. The gay couple down the street is no more a person than anyone else in this godforsaken world, which means that he should have every right that every other person does; namely, If the world’s heterosexual population is allowed to express their love by signing a contract in the presence of judges and lawyers, so should be everyone else. We’re supposed to be somewhere in the top 5 countries to live in according to the UN, and here we are, telling people who weren’t born within our borders that they don’t deserve the same rights as the ones who were! True equality will only ever exist when borders no longer exist and everyone answers to the same laws regardless of geographic location, skin color or religion. Until then, we should all just shut up about “human rights” and start talking about “Canadian priveleges”.
Anonymous

It’s this segregation that makes me sick. The gay couple down the street is no more a person than anyone else in this godforsaken world, which means that he should have every right that every other person does; namely, If the world’s heterosexual population is allowed to express their love by signing a contract in the presence of judges and lawyers, so should be everyone else. We’re supposed to be somewhere in the top 5 countries to live in according to the UN, and here we are, telling people who weren’t born within our borders that they don’t deserve the same rights as the ones who were! True equality will only ever exist when borders no longer exist and everyone answers to the same laws regardless of geographic location, skin color or religion. Until then, we should all just shut up about “human rights” and start talking about “Canadian priveleges”.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Marilyn-Martin/610318316 Marilyn Martin

this is happening in CANADA NOT ON MY WATCH!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Marilyn-Martin/610318316 Marilyn Martin

this is happening in CANADA NOT ON MY WATCH!
Anonymous

I Married a Canadian, so now what? I am American he is a US citizen now. Damn Harper and his bunch of homophobes.
Anonymous

I Married a Canadian, so now what? I am American he is a US citizen now. Damn Harper and his bunch of homophobes.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DIY7GELCDQ6WYMZYE2X2Z4NDGI Skrills

Harp, don’t knock it till you try it. I am upset that I am not married anymore!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DIY7GELCDQ6WYMZYE2X2Z4NDGI Skrills

Harp, don’t knock it till you try it. I am upset that I am not married anymore!
http://www.facebook.com/mudbud333 Brian James Keefe

Now that is just plain and simply sad- I may be straight, but I am a firm believer in gay rights- and this is an outrage, seriously, just cause they’re from another country? Thats discrimination!
http://www.facebook.com/mudbud333 Brian James Keefe

Now that is just plain and simply sad- I may be straight, but I am a firm believer in gay rights- and this is an outrage, seriously, just cause they’re from another country? Thats discrimination!
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Anonymous

You folks are getting upset about nothing. We’re talking about one lawyer’s submissions in a court case – it was stupid and probably his superiors were not aware of it. It doesn’t reflect a change in status of anybody’s union and everyone is still and will remain married. Chill out.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003264015900 David Gee

Wait, my husband was from Chicago when we got married and I was from Toronto – WTF does that mean? Does it mean I don’t have to pay for a divorce now that he has gone back to the States? Not enough incentive to like Stephen Harper or his government there in the $300 I saved if so – but phuck you Harper you just hurt a lot of my friends.
Jonathan Stewart

This story is stupid, and completely false….. I love how everyone is freakin out about something that didn’t even happen.
mouhcine aitounejjar

FYI:
There are more than 20 countries in the middle east, from which only Saudi Arabia forbids women from driving cars or showing their hair in public.

Wake Up!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QIMZPJW75EJ4VAAY73JVZ6ZKJE Luke

Good for Harper
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516915464 Sheana Croy

What if your partner is from another country that does not fully recognize same sex marriages, but you, yourself, live in Canada, and they do not?
Anonymous

What irresposible sensationalist reporting!!!! No marriages have been dissolved!!! The truth is a lawyer for the Justice department is arguing in a court case that non-residents who came to Canada to get married may not be legally married according to our laws. This is being suggested in a court case where a same sex non resident couple have taken the Ontario govt to court to try and get a divorce beacuse they can’t get a divorce in the countries where they live as the marriage is not recognized and under Canadian law you must be a resident here for a year to be able to get a divorce. They are sueing Ontario for a monetary sum.
When you think of this logically, it is just a money grab by the couple. If the countries where they live don’t recognize their marriage then they are basically not married. they are living in two separate countries also.
In any event, the article is very unprofessional and misleading. Don’t get all worked up and blame Harper again for something he didn’t do or have anything to do with. NO SAME SEX MARRIAGES HAVE BEEN ANNULLED!!!!!
Anonymous

God created Men and Women, being gay or lesbian is only ok by those who are diseased with that themselves. Its not normal for children or society. Its sickening and for once i support Mr. Harper in such a decision.

Man + Women = yes

man and man= no

woman and woman=no
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1255733045 Kevin Francis Finn

All I can say is you people voted in his government, Or like the US to hardly any of your citizens show up to vote?
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http://www.facebook.com/Soulless.Grey Sebastian Grey

The problem with this, is that they both live in entirely different countries than both their place of wedding and each other, both not completely allowing gay marriage. The government isn’t as out of place as people think. Not that I support them, nor what they did here. Just that they’re not completely in the wrong.
robert Verwindt

God clearly states in scripture that marriage is between a man and a women. I do not hate those who choose to live this life style I will continue to pray that God will break this strong hold in peoples lives unfortunately today’s motto for everything is if it feels right or good do it, But why do we have sexual diseases or why do we have people over dosing on drugs God warned us of consequences of a sinful life style. Many of you will be angry with me and say I am intolerant but it is the world that is intolerant against Christianity because it doesn’t fit what they like to do. Christianity is no discriminator of people look all over the world Christians come in every shape, size and color. And why is that in 66 nations Christians are killed,raped imprisoned for refusing to deny Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, but even through all of these atrocities we still love our neighbor as ourselves. Stephen Harper did what he had to because he cannot turn his back on God
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001545479049 Kuroi Chii

Stephen Harper can go die in a hole. This just ruined the new year. Even more than it already was.
Anonymous

how is his an attack on gays. marriage is supposed to be between a man and a women anyway, not between two people of the same sex . get over it .
http://twitter.com/super_phil super_phil

I cannot find a reliable source… this story is false and misleading. Please edit the article.
http://twitter.com/SarahLRedd Sarah Hillman-Redd

This isn’t exactly true. Please check facts on this.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tex-ORyan/542016800 Tex O’Ryan

Ha ha – I’m about to contact the Canadian Embassy here and tell them to cancel my membership… i.e. I’ll never visit there and spend my copious pink dollars, despite the fact that I was planning a visit to my ‘partners’ family next year. (sook, sook, sook).
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GI6VQWVX2I3SDRGMDMNIIFS4MA Victor

This is what happens when you fill your country with arabs and muslims.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=697321242 Andrew Collings

i don’t really understand the point of getting married in canada. if you’re not a canadian citizen and you don’t live in canada being married doesn’t really do you any good when you go back home. it’s pretty much just symbolic…

Anonymous

…guess I should go tell my my coworker/best friend who just eloped in Vegas that it didn’t really count and that it’s ‘pretty much just symbolic’

*Sigh

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Anonymous

I am really tired of hearing this is not Harper’s fault…. who ok’d the right to get married in the first place without doing due diligence?
So now because the gov’t had their heads up their butts….as usual, people are suffering.

It’s not that I disagree with the fact that it may be illegal, I am simply disgusted with the lack of efficiency shown by our Canadian gov’t in the first place…
Igor Wilk

would be good to read some legal details about the issue
http://www.facebook.com/Freddy3rd Alfred E Sanders

lol their freaking out it’s no more stupid than publicly fight for that right in the first place
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TKR44WS3AMRTXJZL2AHP3QHEPI whistlergirl1960

Governments should not marry people period. Accept partners as common law and let individuals define marriage themselves. They should get married in whatever institution they want to choose and that wants to marry them.
http://twitter.com/alexnameless Alex Goncharenko

This stupid wedding tourism shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place. Want to have benefits of Canadian laws? Feel free to immigrate or seek refugee status. So if I go to some third world country with weird laws and marry my couch, you’d expect Canada to recognize this marriage? This is ridiculous.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Dudley/707905857 Robert Dudley

Harper needs to get his head out of his ass and learn how to make the right judgement calls. This pisses me off to no end. I hope he is ready for the consequences that are about to hit him right in the face.
http://twitter.com/markwebb459 Mark Webb

I’d like to point out that this really has nothing to do with Harper. It has everything to do with the laws in other countries. Of course a marriage is null and void if you go to a country to get married and then move back to your home landwhere it’s illegal. Immediately as you step foot into your own country where it’s illegal, your marriage is void. Why no one thought of this before is beyond me. It’s like saying, because I can carry a fire arm on me in Texas, that when you walked into Canada with a gun and got arrested, you wonder why… Think things through. Nothing to do with Harper. Side note: I support gay marriage 100%.
http://twitter.com/Berkid BerKid

My husband is not Canadian but I am. If he were my wife instead, would we still be married? I’m living in HIS country right now, but we were married in MY homeland. Sorry, I’m just not quite understanding how this works.
http://twitter.com/imakepromises Vote Canada

Do you still love your (ex) husband? Then fight for the rights you believe in, but fight for them with respect and dignity not by stooping to the level of politicians.
Anonymous

This is very irresponsible reporting. Anyone reading this needs to know that this comment made by the Prime Minister of Canada to the press is not the same as changing the law. These decisions are made by the courts and if not they are made by the government as a whole (i.e. the parliament). It is extremely unlikely that this will every become the law in Canada. Is it really worth upsetting thousands of married couples just to get a few extra visits to your page?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B2OHE7LJXA25MLLHWOJFTSFVZA Satan

This is no big deal! The majority of the world has the maturity and insight not to allow gay marriage. Its too bad we do not have a leader who could dissolve gay marriage for all Canadians and allow for normal marriage to exist by itself as it has for centuries.Praise Uganda, Praise Russia, Praise China, and every sane country on earth.
Anonymous

I think Steven Harper may need to become the new Rick Santorum. Perhaps we could have a contest to choose a winning Steven Harper entry? And then catapult the winning entry to stardom!
hockeychick24-7

How ’bout people that aren’t Canadian don’t get married in Canada? And why does anyone want to get married, anyway?
hockeychick24-7

How ’bout people who aren’t Canadian don’t get married in Canada? and why get married, anyway?
Denis Jehl

Good morning here … (it’s the morning here in France) … my wife just showed me that post … so even if i’m not concerned directly I want to share my feelings about that … please pardon my English :
Today I feel like a 10 years old kid, totally crazy about a soccer/hockey/”name your sport” player who realised that he was on drugs to play the way he did. A 10 years old kid slapped by disillusion about something, someone he adored for so many years. And I talk about Canada … I ain’t gay, at all (my loss, I know). But I always found “normal” that you can marry who ever you want since “a soul mate .. is a soul mate”.I lived four years in Canada and it was for me the best country EVER. And now, 6 years after I came back and I still regret the life style, the peace between people, all those amazing details which all smelled “freedom”.

For me it is … well … it was … MY reference in term of “a real good country” … and I lived in many places to say that, places in europe, and in the middle east …

This is just not possible … Canada cannot become like the others, it cannot fall in the bigotry … damn it I can’t see my screen now … :’(
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sam naylor

but….same sex marriage is legal in England :S

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1438262108 Daniel Ladd

No, they are Civil Partnerships exactly the same thing as marriage. It’s stupid really.

http://www.facebook.com/ethrock Cameron Leslie Gislason

This is obviously absolutely disgusting. I’m appalled that my government would allow this garbage to float across, even for a moment.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NNEIFDXWU346PIH3RNHURD6GME Janara

I always thought that if I were to marry in Canada, that it would only be valid IN canada. So when all the hype was first brought up and laws were made, it had to have been said that the marriages whould only be recognised in Canada. I mean hell, I always thought it was a fad anyway; A little something we could do as a homosexual couples to show our love for one another. As much as this hurts me that there are people hurting because of this, research should have been done by those couples before the car was packed and the trip to Canada to marry began.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NNEIFDXWU346PIH3RNHURD6GME Janara

I should have done a wee bit of research before this post. NO marriages have been nullified. This is, as stated previously just a court arguement by a couple who married in Canada and now want a divorce. Stating that they should not have been allowed to marry in the first place since marriage is not legal in the states/country they are from, which is Florida and London. Now if this works and their divorce is granted, this will be detrimental to everything we have worked so hard for. They could be responsible for the single act which stops the progress of marriage equality. What happened to good old ‘irreconcilable differences’? This couple should be ashamed of themselves.

Tom Carnegie

This is only to stop foriegn people from coming to Canada and getting married and then leaving again! This is not an attack on LGBT people but just a diplomatic move!
http://www.facebook.com/chris.mackechnie Chris MacKechnie

This is badly written. The marriages have NOT been invalidated. Canadian law currently requires residency (live in Canada for one year) to file for a divorce. There is no residency requirement for marriage. So, the couple who married here cannot get a divorce here. Since their marriage is not recognized in their home country, they also can’t file for divorce there. It’s a flaw in the law for sure, but not Armageddon.
Amanda Chase

FYI the canadian civil marriage bill (not changed since 2005) and the divorce act allow both canadian same-sex couples and foreign same-sex couples with a canadian residency of at least a year to get both married and also a divorce in canada. The problem here is that the divorce act was written originally without reference to same-sex unions and the words were just inserted later. As it is unlikely that two foreign citizens in a opposite-sex union would have trouble getting a divorce back home, it was not anticipated that two foreign citizens in a same sex marriage who were not canadian residents might need to request canada give them a divorce. A more accurate statement here would be “Canada refuses to dissolve some same sex marriages” . Do your research and don’t light unnecessary fires. The government has not changed it’s policies, but certainly needs to update them for this scenario.
http://twitter.com/dremalo Lazar Radakovic

CONSERVATIVES FTW!
Anonymous

Turns out he has no plans to change anything. He’s still a douche.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=537310234 Damien Otis

Hey. Your headline is misleading and sensationalist. People all over the internet are crying “same sex isn’t legal in Canada anymore???” when really it’s “marriage tourism isn’t legal”. I know the gay marriage issue is a big one, and an important one, but misrepresenting facts doesn’t move us ahead.
http://www.facebook.com/nawtangel Angel Lowe-sweet

thank you harper for taking away my rights,if i want to marry a woman thats my choice not yours.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-Sharpe/614413200 Brian Sharpe

Crap, sensationalistic reportage. The problem is that the Divorce Act prevents any married couple (same sex or otherwise) who have not resided in Canada for at least one year from seeking a divorce here.

I can’t see how it’s a Canadian problem if the couple married here (which is still recognized by Canadian law) but reside in a sovereign foreign country that does not recognize the marriage.

There’s no hidden agenda, no attack on human rights just a residency requirement under the Divorce Act.(I’d love to see the actual correspondence from the Justice Department to see what it actually says).

We’re not the Dominican Republic, you can’t fly in and, as non-residents, get divorced in a weekend and then fly home with a piece of paper saying you’re divorced. How could anyone imagine that Canadian courts could rule on the division of assets that are located in a foreign jurisdiction.

The real “bad guys” in this are the governments that refuse to join the 21st Century and recognize same sex marriages.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002226314788 Brittany Marie

maybe if every one voted him out this wouldnt have happened i can say my vote was ndp and if every one would have got off ther butts and voted him out then we wouldnt have this issue . CANADA NEEDS CHANGE and if we keep voting this dick head in its only going to get worse like alrady this week two big things they get rid of millions in grants for college students and now this … just think of how this year is going to end . alot of already unhappy people
Shane Mahaffy

What a pile of crap. The Canadian government has NOT dissolves any marriages. This was simple a legal argument presented in a divorce case. I guess you can be forgiven be cause your correspondents are not journalists (ya know the ones who check facts), Stick to Access Hollywood reporting and news about gay porn stars
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523860502 Angie Thomas

UNbelievable
truly. Even with those “I wouldn’t put it past him comments” it really
is shocking. The part where they said “what next are Middle Eastern
women living in Canada now stripped of their rights to vote, drive a
car, or even show …their
hair” is so true. Revoking rights of people who are from countries
that don’t have those rights is just wrong. Canada’s reputation as a
refuge for all people who’s human rights are being violated is being
trashed thanks to this shit. [rant over]
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=511220194 Daniela Trozzolo

Can someone explain to me why these marriages were deemed not legal? Was it because they moved to a different country where same sex marriage is not recognized or was it because they came from a country that doesn’t recognize it? the article doesn’t make that very clear. Is it because they are no longer Canadian citizens, because they haven’t lived in the country and so their citizenship has been revoked? I’m confused..
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rhonda1024

not true don’t start dating yet, basically if you marry in Canada your marriage is legal in Canada but if you live in a country were same sex marriage is not recognized – your marriage in Canada will not be recognized..so all Canadians you are still married..yes you are legally bound just like the rest of us
http://www.facebook.com/aj.seguin Alexandre J. Séguin

well, it’s finally a law that stop other countries from mooching off us…
Anonymous

Listen to you people, your arguing over something that the media wants you to argue about, its what they want you to read. Seperation, corruption, fighting,war, we are all the same whether some are gay or lesbien or hedresexual, disabled or even of a other race. Give your heads a shake, by fighting against each other, gives the government a chance to come up with more benefits for themselves and what little they do far us makes them look like god or angels in our time of need when all this negative fighting goes on. Do you see them losing anything, no. Of course they approved it, knowing very well that down the road they would evenually take it. Its how they control society. And we are doing exactly what they want ,tearing ourselves apart so they can then have control and once again we depand on them to fix us.This negative media, that were so addicted to believing. We can fix ourselves, with what they are trying to take from us. Love, embrace, unity, one , caring, embracing all of these and ignoring what they want us to believe in. Were all human beings, really does a piece of paper make your love stronger? no !!!! Why does it matter if the government approves your marriage or not, isn’t it your love that only needs to approve of it. I know the feeling of something being stripped from you doesn’t feel right and makes you angry but hashing it out against one another are not going to solve the problem.

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http://www.facebook.com/people/Richard-Squires/551475469 Richard Squires

I live abroad, but still a Canadian citizen……Why is he still our Prime Minister? There can’t be anyone worst to take his place, it’s time for him to go!
Anonymous

I applaud the Canadian government for standing up on this difficult issue. The LGBT wanted, and rightfully so, equal rights. Well, we have them. Here. In Canada. Other countries political shortcomings are not my concern. The LGBT community can marry and divorce legally in Canada. OF COURSE, these unions are not legal in other countries. I don’t see how they could ever have been construed otherwise. Your argument that middle eastern women could possibly be stripped of their right to vote as they live in Canada is moronic at best. You idiot! That’s the point!! THEY DON’T LIVE IN CANADA! The fact that this is the straw that you grasped just proves how weak your argument is. The government had to nullify the marriages because they could not get divorced. We can’t let anyone in for a quick wedding/divorce because then people would be doing that every day for citizenship. LGBT’s- you got equality. Don’t try to be more equal than everyone else.
Anonymous

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/13/pol-same-sex-marriage-nicholson.html

Hate to use cbc, but read the article. The guy wrote for this website has no realy clue what he is taking about
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1122340680 Levi Du John

Is it Mr. Harper’s fault that other countries do no recognize same sex marriage? It is my fault or yours? Yes all of this should have been worked out before same sex marriage was preformed, but it wasn’t. No one seen this coming. I am not a fan of Steven Harper in NO WAY but don’t blame him personally, Did any one see that these people would want to divorce down the road. I surly didn’t.
http://twitter.com/stitchesnlace Tara

Sigh. This article is INCORRECT. The government didn’t dissolve ANY marriages – there was some confusion and debate concerning whether or not a couple could divorce in Canada if they married in Canada, despite their home countries/states not recognizing them as legally wed in the first place. Statement from the Justice Minister today: ”I want to make it very clear that, in our government’s view, these marriages should be valid. We will change the Civil Marriage Act so that any marriages performed in Canada that aren’t recognized in the couple’s home jurisdiction will be recognized in Canada … This will apply to all marriages performed in Canada. We have been clear that we have no desire to reopen this issue – both myself and the prime minister consider this debate to be closed.” Gay marriage laws are not changing in Canada under the Conservatives or the Liberals, they are simply updating the Act so that any marriages performed here remain valid here, regardless of their validity elsewhere.

Please verify your facts before making alarming sweeping statements about such a volatile topic. Nobody’s marriage was dissolved, nobody’s marriage will be dissolved, and out-of-country couples will still be able to be married here.
Anonymous

The comment at the end here…”Is being gay now punishable by death in Canada if you’re from Uganda?” This comment is assinine and redonculous!!! (yes I MEANT to spell it that way). If you’re FROM Uganda…FROM, not living IN…and now LIVE in Cananda, you can not only BE gay, AND get married, but you can live a full open married life with you husband/wife with all the benefits of heterosexual couples.

The government, which I despise and abhor and all those other words, is simply stating what is clearly legal and correct. Think about it, if these people came to Canada and got married and then remained IN Canada, the marriage would be legal and binding. But they don’t live here. And how can the government of one country inflict their laws and policies on the government of another?

I ask you…ENTER CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT MATTER HERE…do NOT think I am saying that I feel this is ok…I am giving an example…if Slavery was legal in….Montana for example…and someone went from BC to Montana and “bought” a person to bring back here and kept them as their slave…would it be legal? Yes…in Montana…No in Cananda. Would the ingrate that bought a human be allowed to keep that human because the place they purchased him/her had a law saying it is legal? Of course not. Why? Because it’s not legal here. We will not allow the laws of another jurisdiction be forced upon us because it’s unconstitutional. So why is this any different? Why should Washington…who does recongnize state benefits for same sex couples…be forced to say that the marriage is legal just because Canada says they should? That’s not right.

I feel all marriage should be recognized and that the term “gay marriage” should be abolished, because as my favorite quote by Liz Feldman says, “…because I had lunch this afternoon, not GAY lunch. I parked my car, I didn’t GAY park it.”

I am a proud Lesbian that will one day get remarried to the woman of my dreams and I will do it in a country that recognizes me as a Canadian that deserves every freedom that all Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Queer, Trans, Bisexual persons get. I am sorry that all those affected by this latest statement from our government are hurting and angry, but don’t blame our country, blame yours. Don’t blame us for not forcing your jurisdiction to enforce our laws in your country. We are leaps and bounds ahead of so many other countries so we have to be patient as they catch up. And please don’t make us look even less intelligent by saying we would enforce another country’s laws on their citizens that have chosen to make Cananda their home…the same thing your asking them to do with ours… If they live here, they enjoy the same rights and freedoms we do. People migrate here for a reason. If you want to benefit from Canada’s liberal laws then move here…become Canadian…it’s the most beautiful, liberating choice you will ever make.

Signed a proud Gay Canadian with liberal views and endless love and light for all.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=541510320 Ian Foote

Gay… Straight… irrelevant. If one of you hasn’t gotten the other pregnant inside of a couple of years, the thing should be annulled. Marriage isn’t a “right”, it’s an economic mechanism to fund the creation of the next generation of mankind.

It’s not a promise two people make to each other… it’s a promise two people make TO THEIR COMMUNITY. I’ll happily pay higher taxes than a married couple, IF they promise to create young who will nurse me when I’m old.

If marriage isn’t about funding the next generation of mankind, then it’s prejudicial against single people, and should not exist at all. If I’m single and have a male roommate, and the gay couple downstairs are paying significantly less tax, purely on the basis of the fact that they’re sleeping together, that is unfair.

And you, sir, are not a victim. You are a thief.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002275706971 Winnie Frank

No human rights are being violated here, gay marriage was never in question, that was one attempt by a gov’t lawyer to interpret a Liberal law. Harper will fix the part about marriage but not divorce. It’s complicated and why should we change residential requirements for foreigners who are just using us as a means to their own ends.

The propaganda and left wing agit prop over this is sickening, but does speak to their agenda which they pursue by means of malicious disinformation, insinuation and smears, certainly not facts.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ethan-Holmes/100002319383987 Ethan Holmes

Boo Hoo. Its really not a big deal, smart people always win stupid people always lose, they just got a lucky hand this time. 100 years from now this kind of dumb shit will seem like slavery.
Anonymous

Wow, the over-the-top histrionics continue unabated:

“All same sex marriages performed in Canada are legal and the law will be changed to ensure that divorce is readily available to non-residents who were married in the country, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says.

Speaking at a Toronto luncheon Friday, Mr. Nicholson blamed the Liberal government that preceded his for not filling a “legislative gap” that has left thousands of same-sex couples in an agonizing position of being unable to divorce should they feel a need to.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/justice-minister-declares-all-same-sex-marriages-legal-and-valid/article2301691/
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http://oftheuniverse.dreamwidth.org/ Ezra

Actually, the Canadian gov. just cleared up something that should have
been obvious – that marriages performed for two people, neither of whom
live in Canada, aren’t actually recognized in Cananda. In the article,
though the site sort of brushes off that fact due to its bias, it even
mentions that the lesbian couple that started all this are from two
seperate countries (US and England): neither of them live in Canada. And
I think it makes sense that Canada wouldn’t recognise/give benefits to
marriages that aren’t…for people in that country.

People who
are citizens in Canada can still get married, and if only one partner is
a citizen, they can still get married – just like other countries.

This article’s very misleading, though, and that….really upsets me, that they’re being so willfully deceitful. =|
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http://www.facebook.com/people/Ryan-Levis/783739254 Ryan Levis

This is heart-breaking to so many people. It is just backwards to forcebly ruin a marriage. ahhh damn gods
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Martin Bryan

well it kind of makes sense…
But what about their money back? I mean, did these people seriously think that if they just “get married in Canada” that they’d be legit? Obviously. They got told false information, poor things. I wonder what they paid for their wedding in FALSE pretense.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=741695187 Joce Baker

A) this article is incorrect
B) if you do not apply for a marriage licence where you reside, your marriage is not legally binding, regardless of your sexual orientation.

I have friends who were married in Mexico and they never filed for the marriage licence in Canada. Needless to say, when they tried to get divorced they saved a lot of $ that would have been spent on divorce lawyers.

Next time check your facts before you freak out
http://www.facebook.com/DraconiaFyre Meriah Scott

Ok so here is a question i want answered. I am a born and raised Canadian, but my wife was born in the US , we got married here in Calgary does that mean my marriage is no longer valid?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TKR44WS3AMRTXJZL2AHP3QHEPI whistlergirl1960

no, it does not matter where you were married. In the above case it was a couple from outside Canada and from a country that does not accept gay marriages. In any case Canada is changing the law so that they will be accepted as married regardless of that. More money for divorce lawyers.

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http://pulse.yahoo.com/_63LWXPXVSRIHS3WI7RELU6UCHI RudyDog

Hello. Canuck here. This is completely false. Check your fact.
Anonymous

What made me laugh most about the over the top histrionics was Dan Savage’s assertion in multiple interviews that his husband was DEVASTATED!! Perhaps inconsolable! Who knows!

…over a false, overhyped, taken-out-of-context report. If that was my partner, I’d be gone. That’s a pretty flaky, barely hanging on individual right there, possibly close to being super-neurotic.

..or was Dan Savage simply overstating his partners reaction because, like skewing the truth about gay marriages, he got better publicity?
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=540754397 Rob Elliott

Right now this only effects people where both parties are not residents of Canada, and was an oversite of the changes to the Civil Marriage laws in Canada. The Lawyer has to argue the law. They are doing the right thing.

However the fact that the Tories (as much as it pains me to give them kodus) are going to change the law to fix this. Not out of presure from anyone but because it’s the right thing to do.

This was a oversight that no one apparently thought of, and the Canadian Gov’t is going to fix. And only effects NON Residents of Canada.
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Michael Cooke

Fortunately there are other nations that will wed Gay couples, in the long run if Canada doesn’t fix this, they will lose their gay tourist dollars to Nations happy to marry loving committed gay couples.
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Anonymous

This is not about gay marriages, it is about divorces for couples who do not reside in Canada and their OWN country doesn’t recognize the marriage. Canada’s Divorce Act stipulates a one year domicile requirement whether your straight or gay.
B C

This is NOT true whatsoever! Same sex marriage is still legal in canada. This article needs to be deleted.

How do i know? Im Canadian.
Anonymous

Harperland and all of the smiling faced right-wing religious nuts are causing global havoc. Whether it’s fear of the LGBT community or feminist powers (after all, Barack Obama is there because they didn’t want Hillary), it seems to me the religious extremes around the globe have lost sight of the need to keep church and state separate. This is just the first shot being fired at couples married in Canada, and we’ll all have to start speaking up or it sure won’t be the last, It’s going to cost an awful lot more than money. If we don’t stand strong and together under a full rainbow, we’ll be seeing more and more discriminatory practices and we’ll be heading toward more and more suffering for all of us who stand for freedom.
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http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YGWHQM4PS2LFVHI7HWBTCFSJAY Stu Pot

Stop including trans*people in sexuality problems.
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=804204125 Imran Rajjad

well done ! hope other places also put an end to this freak show
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Anonymous

I don’t know why this clown is still alive!!! People pay money to hear this side show freak, spew his profanity! He should be the poster child for HIV!!!!!!!
Lisa

What if one is Canadian and one is American? Married 2009

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