The 20 years of wedding for all in Canada | Behind the scenes of the bill told by its architect

Twenty years after the adoption of the bill legalizing marriage between two people of the same sex. In addition, his architect, the former Minister of Justice Martin Cauchon, says behind the scenes

On his desk. In addition, Jean Chrétien posed a dictionary, a page of which is marked with a bookmark. Moreover, The one where the definition of marriage is found: “a legitimate union of a man. Meanwhile, a woman, with the exception of any other person”. For example, To his young Minister of Justice. Similarly. Therefore, Martin Cauchon, who asked for the 20 years wedding all canada new meeting, he launched: “Like that, you want to change the 20 years wedding all canada definition of the dictionary? Meanwhile. Furthermore, »»

The path to the legalization of marriage for same -sex spouses in Canada will have been punctuated by numerous legal battles. Furthermore, such as a series of dominoes that switch to each other.

For Martin Cauchon, the most important of these dominoes fell in June 2003, when the Ontario Court of Appeal confirms that the definition of marriage violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

His subminister. Morris Rosenberg, 20 years wedding all canada new tells him about it 20 years wedding all canada during a basic, like a file among so many others. Moreover, The Ottawa reflex in such cases: bring the cause on appeal to the Supreme Court.

Except that Martin Cauchon finds that the situation hangs.

In front of him, the deputy minister Rosenberg does not hide his concern. In addition, “He knew that one would open a whole section which. Nevertheless, as Minister of Justice, would cause me a lot of difficulties,” recalls Martin Cauchon.

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A very personal experience – 20 years wedding all canada new 20 years wedding all canada

His sensitivity to 20 years wedding all canada the cause comes from a very personal experience. Therefore, During his studies at the University of Ottawa. For example. in the early 1980s, he worked in the cabinet of Charles Lapointe, then Minister of the Government of Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

“Charles was homosexual, he frequented someone and hid him. Meanwhile, I found that not normal. Moreover, So let’s see, his sexual orientation, we have nothing to do with it! What is important is what it can bring to society! »»

Back in 20 years wedding all canada 2003, it was therefore to his ex-boss that Martin Cauchon turned to take the pulse of the homosexual community. A meeting is organized in Montreal with. in particular. Laurent McCutcheon, an activist known to the LGBTQ+ cause which set up the Emergence Foundation a few years earlier.

The question of the rights of same -sex spouses is already in tune with the times.

“A real advance” – 20 years wedding all canada

Then president of the Gaie Gaie du Québec Chamber of Commerce. the current outgoing president of the Foundation, Patrick Desmarais, remembers having trimed with politicians.

“We met the finance ministers, just to have the tax recognition of the same sex couples,” he recalls.

Under the governing of the Minister of 20 years wedding all canada new Justice Paul Bégin. the National Assembly has just gave the 20 years wedding all canada green light to the “civil union” which. gives Quebec spouses of the same sex the same rights as heterosexual couples.

In Montreal. representatives of the homosexual community make Minister Cauchon understand that if he wants to mark history. he will have to put one more brick at the building.

“I was told: Minister Bégin has just done that [l’union civile]. If you want to do something to have a real step forward. you have to cross the last barrier which is marriage, ”recalls Martin Cauchon. “It was more than symbolic, you gave them a right they did not have. »»

A radical change

It was therefore armed with these arguments that he requests a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Despite the welcome from Jean Chrétien, the 20 years wedding all canada conversation is “constructive”. Additionally, “It was his way of telling me that it was a radical change for society. that we were attaching an extremely difficult question,” he recalls. “He wanted to understand where I came from. »»

Once convinced, the Prime Minister will support him until the end, starting by inviting him to make a presentation during a retirement from the cabinet.

At the end of the meeting. the Christian government announces that it will not dispute the 20 years wedding all canada new decision 20 years wedding all canada of the Ontario Court of Appeal. that it will table a bill to legalize the marriage between same -sex spouses.

Put the cover on the pot

Well aware that he will face fierce opposition from religious groups. Martin Cauchon concocts his bill in a skillful way.

On the one hand. he legalizes civil marriage between same-sex spouses, on the other, he leaves the religious the right not to celebrate it. To ensure his rear, the Minister requests the opinion of the Supreme Court through a “dismissal”. In December 2004, the largest magistrates in the country bless the legislative text.

This does not prevent Martin Cauchon from facing a strong headwind. When he presents everything at the Liberal Caucus in North Bay. Ontario, in August 2003, his colleagues deputies came in turn to the microphone to descend the bill in flames.

Until Senator Laurier Lapierre, then active militant for homosexual rights, has brought his rescue. “He finished his speech by saying:” I ask you to support the bill not because it is a question. of law. but because you feel it here “, pointing his heart,” recalls Martin Cauchon.

“John Christian and I looked at each other, and I knew that I had just won. »»

The return of the pendulum

His bill will receive the royal sanction on July 20. 2005, under the mandate of his successor, Irwin Cotler. Canada thus became the fourth country in the world to legalize marriage between same-sex spouses. after the Netherlands (2001), Belgium (2003) and Spain (2005).

Twenty years later. Martin Cauchon underlines the strong support in the Canadian population to marriage between people of the same sex who reached a 75 % summit in 2021. according to the Ipsos firm.

“There are many people who told me that my political career was over at that time,” he recalls. “It was so clever, there must have been 60 % of the population who opposed it. »»

Still according to Ipsos. a slight decline has been recorded in the most recent years. but the one who now practices as 20 20 years wedding all canada new years wedding all canada a lawyer for the firm DS Avocats Canada does not fear a legal surf, as has seen in the United States.

“In my time, we had the wind in the sails and the social right had a little more difficulty. Today, the pendulum is a little rendered on the other side, but it will return to the left. The important thing is to have a healthy democracy. »»