Polygamy a Civil Right: Canadian Court Case

Americans watch Canada to see what comes down the pike after society accepts and legalizes same-sex 'marriage.'

For background, read Courts May Legalize Polygamy in Canada

UPDATE 11/24/11: British Columbia Supreme Court upholds Canada's polygamy law, making multiple marriages illegal

UPDATE 4/1/11: Same-sex marriage laws limits union to only two persons?

-- From "Civil liberties group supports B.C. polygamists" posted at Vancouver Sun 3/18/11

Canada's anti-polygamy law offends fundamental freedoms protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, argues the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

"This law is a Victorian statute," BCCLA lawyer Monique Pongracic-Speier said in a written statement. "It is time for it to be relegated to the scrap heap of history. It invites the state to inspect the bedrooms — and kitchens and living rooms — of consenting adults who find fulfilment in plural relationships. It erodes the dignity of people involved in those relationships and denies them the privacy that is available to couples and monogamous families."

"The BCCLA argues that individuals should be free to make the life choices they wish so long as those choices do not harm other people and they engage in them with free, informed and full consent," Pongracic-Speier said in a press release. "By intruding into adults' decisions about the form of conjugal relationship that best meets their personal needs and aspirations, the law overextends the reach of the criminal law into individuals' private lives, intruding into their most private relationships."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "B.C. polygamists win support of civil rights group" posted at The Canadian Press 3/18/11

Final arguments in the case will begin later this month in B.C. Supreme Court, which has heard months of testimony both for and against upholding the federal law, including conflicting expert testimony about whether the practice of multiple marriage is inherently harmful to women and children.

Written arguments have already been filed by several interveners in the case, as well as the federal and provincial governments.

Both levels of government are defending the law, arguing polygamy is inherently harmful and must be kept illegal. They've alleged multiple marriage inevitably leads to sexual and physical abuse, child brides, teen pregnancies and the trafficking of young girls to be married.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Hollywood Mainstreams Polygamy in TV Series as well as Polygamist Dares Utah Authorities - He May Win

Courts May Legalize Polygamy in Canada

Having legalized same-sex marriage over five years ago, Canada is moving to the next stage. Once marriage is defined beyond one man and one woman, there's no logical argument against re-defining marriage to mean almost anything. Ultimately, marriage becomes meaningless -- that's the Gay Agenda.

UPDATE 11/27/10: The slippery slope of disintegration of society

-- From "Trial puts spotlight on polygamy in Canada" posted at the UPI 11/21/10

Canada's ban on polygamy is about to be tested as never before in a British Columbia trial, lawyers and advocates on both sides say.

The "constitutional reference" proceeding opens in the province's Supreme Court Monday and is expected to last through January at least, The Vancouver Sun reported.

If Chief Justice Robert Bauman rules for legalization, Canada would become the first country in the developed world to allow multiple marriage and a likely magnet for U.S. fundamentalist Mormons, along with Muslims, Wiccans and secular polyamorists.

The decision, whichever way it goes, is likely go on the provincial Court of Appeal and eventually the Supreme Court of Canada. And Parliament could still have the last word.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Polygamy trial starts tomorrow" by Keith Fraser, The Province 11/21/10

The governments of B.C. and Canada, who want to uphold the law, are expected to argue that while some women in multiple marriages may be happy, there are social harms associated with the practice.

Polygamous wives are said to suffer increased family stress, depression, jealousy, lower self-esteem and feelings of disempowerment. Children have lower levels of socioeconomic status and reduced academic achievement, say the anti-polygamy forces.

Ron Skolrood, a constitutional lawyer in Vancouver, said it was "very difficult" to predict the outcome given the volume of evidence and argument expected to unfold during the trial.

But he said the case really boils down to a few consistent themes.

"Does the law address real social evils today? Or is it, as the challengers would say, an antiquated law that really has no relevance today?"

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Polygamy reference case could open door to legalizing multiple marriage" by Daphne Bramham, Vancouver Sun 11/21/10

. . . the rules are being made up as the case unfolds.

There will also be academics testifying to their research on polygamous communities both in B.C. and around the world. And there will legal experts parsing Section 293 as well as relevant sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Even if the polygamy section limits any of those freedoms, the judge could decide that the breach of those rights is justifiable if the practice is harmful. Or as the B.C. attorney-general’s lawyer describes it, "The main task facing this court will be assessing and weighing evidence respecting harm: the harm of polygamy versus the harm of prohibition."

[Those wanting the change] are: the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association, B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association for Free Expression.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Reference previous article from 2007: Is polygamy legal in Canada?

British Columbia: Parents protest gay-friendly classes

VANCOUVER -- Thousands of British Columbians have signed petitions and sent letters to the Education Ministry insisting that parents be allowed to pull their children from public school lessons to avoid gay-friendly messages that conflict with religious or family values.

But Education Minister Shirley Bond said she doesn't intend to change a policy that says parents may remove their students only from specific health lessons in three courses: Health and Career Education for K-7, Health and Career Education 8-9 and Planning 10.

That promise was part of a contract the government signed last spring with gay activists Murray and Peter Corren to end a protracted human-rights case. As part of that deal, the government said it would enforce a policy that limits the ability of families to opt out of classes they find objectionable.

Read the rest at The Times Colonist online

Only 6 school boards out of 60 had the guts to say they would not compel students to attend classes over the objections of their parents. Ours is not an age of courage...

Related coverage:

Gov't Agrees to Mandatory Homosexual Curriculum with No Opt-Out for Students or Parents
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06060101.html

Evangelical schools ordered to teach Darwinism
http://culturecampaign.blogspot.com/2006/10/evangelical-schools-ordered-to-teach.html