Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario

Elementary Teachers Support Same-Sex Marriage Law

For Immediate Release: February 11, 2005

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) endorses the federal government’s proposed legislation on same-sex civil marriage.

“We are encouraging our members to get in touch with their local MPs and urge them to support the legislation,” said ETFO President Emily Noble.

The right to equal civil marriage for gays and lesbians under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has been confirmed by courts in seven provinces and in the Yukon, Noble pointed out. And the Supreme Court of Canada has confirmed that the federal government has the power to amend the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex unions.

“Bill C-38 strikes a fair balance,” Noble said. “It reinforces the human dignity of gays and lesbians and respects their rights under the Charter, while at the same time protecting religious groups.”

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 65,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers across Ontario and is the largest teacher federation in Canada outside of Quebec.

- 30 -

Contact:
David Clegg,
First Vice-president, ETFO
(416) 962-3836 (Office)
(416) 948-1592 (Cell)

Johanna Brand
Executive Assistant-Communications
(416) 962-3836 (Office)
(416) 948-2554