CANADA: GOV'T ATTEMPTS TO EXCLUDE GAY AND LESBIAN RELATIONSHIPS
FROM HUMAN
RIGHTS LEGISLATION

On December 10, 1992, the Canadian government introduced
amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act with the tabling in
the House of Commons of Bill C-108. The Human Rights Act is the
legislation that established the Canadian Human Rights Commission
and provides inexpensive and accessible legal recourse for people
who have been discriminated against in public and private areas of
federal jurisdiction.

Over seven years ago, the government promised to "take whatever
measures necessary to end discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation in all areas of federal jurisdiction." Bill C-108 was
suppose to fulfill that promise.  However, while Bill C-108 adds
sexual orientation to the list of prohibited grounds of
discrimination, the Bill also discriminates against lesbians and
gay men because it restricts the definition of "marital status" to
partners of the opposite sex. If this legislation is adopted by
Parliament, lesbians and gay men will lose the rights to
partnership benefits which courts are presently granting.

Svend Robinson, the only openly gay member of Parliament, and a
member of the New Democratic Party of Canada that is opposed to
Bill C-108, is calling for letters to pressure the Canadian
government to withdraw this discriminatory legislation.

Please write to the following officials, stressing that Bill C-108
is a
backward step for human rights in Canada. Postage to Canada from
the U.S. is $.40 for the first ounce.

Write to:

The Hon. Pierre Blais Minister of Justice 448 Confederation
Building House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Canada

The Hon. Brian Mulroney Prime Minister 309-S Centre Block House of
Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Model Letter

Dear Minister of Justice:

I am writing to express my concern with Bill C-108, the proposed
amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act.

I am particularly disturbed with provisions affecting the rights
of lesbians and gay men. I understand that your government
promised over seven years ago to "take whatever measures are
necessary to end discrimination based on sexual orientation in all
areas of federal jurisdiction." However, this legislation
clearly discriminates against lesbians and gay men by restricting
the
definition of "marital status" to partners of the opposite sex.
While Bill C-108 does add sexual orientation to the list of
prohibited grounds of discrimination, the restrictions placed on
the recognition of same sex relationships is contradictory and
discriminatory.

This legislation specifically contravenes Section 15 of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which your government has
publicly acknowledged to cover discrimination based on sexual
orientation. Furthermore, Bill C-108 is a violation of
international commitments made by Canada on human rights.

I urge you to withdraw this legislation. Any amendments to the
Canadian Human Rights Act must provide full equality for lesbians
and gay men.

Sincerely yours,