The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal released its decision in the Marriage Commissioner Reference today. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) was an intervenor before the court in the case.
In July 2009, the Justice Minister of Saskatchewan asked the Court of Appeal for an opinion on the constitutionality of two potential legislative options which would permit marriage commissioners to decline performing same-sex marriages if contrary to their religious beliefs. One would have permitted marriage commissioners appointed before a certain date to refuse to solemnize a marriage contrary to their religious beliefs and a second that would have allowed any marriage commissioner the same right.
The EFC intervened in support of the proposed legislation that would have protected and ensured the religious and conscience freedoms of all marriage commissioners.
We are disappointed with the decision. While the court recognized that a refusal to accommodate the constitutional rights of marriage commissioners would result in a violation of their freedom of religion, it determined that such a violation was necessary in order to ensure the equality rights of gay and lesbian individuals. Marriage commissioners, as agents of the government, cannot in the court’s opinion refuse to solemnize marriages contrary to their religious beliefs.
The court, however, did propose an alternative. It stated that government practices and policies could be put in place that would ensure that both the constitutional rights of marriage commissioners and the legal rights of couples to access marriage services would be respected.
In the decision, the court recounted a discussion from the hearings about a ‘single point entry system’ alternative as a means of accommodating the rights of all parties. Under such a system, couples would apply to a central office with an application for marriage services. Based on the information contained in the application, the office would assign a commissioner or a list of commissioners able to provide the services. This simple application process would ensure that the rights and needs of all parties are respected.
As this is only a reference, the government is not bound to adopt the court’s opinion. If the decision is made not to appeal, we will urge the government of Saskatchewan and all provincial governments to take measures to ensure that the rights of all citizens, whether they work in the public or private sector, are robustly protected.
In this type of situation, the rights of all parties can be accommodated and respected rather than excluding one set of rights in favour of another. It is the inclusion of individuals from a wide variety of cultures, beliefs and perspectives in government positions that ensures and communicates that the state is truly committed to a diverse, multicultural society.
For more information, you can view the EFC’s Frequently Asked Question on the Marriage Commissioner Reference document at our blog, ActivateCFPL.theEFC.ca.