Civil marriage commissioners have no right to refuse to wed gay couples, argued lawyer Reynold Robertson in Saskatchewan’s top court Thursday.
Reynolds was appointed by the Saskatchewan government to argue against two proposed amendments to the province’s Marriage Act, both of which would exempt marriage commissioners from performing same-sex marriages if it goes against their religious beliefs.
“A government official is entitled to his or her religious belief.
It’s when they project that religious belief in the form of conduct
toward somebody who’s (requesting service), that’s not right,” said
Robertson, reports the Winnipeg Free Press.
On Thursday, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal also heard submissions from queer lobby group Egale, a religious group and a government-appointed lawyer in favour of the proposed amendments.
Dale Blenner-Hassett, the lawyer representing the Canadian Fellowship of Churches and Ministers, told the court that anti-gay marriage commissioners are being “unfairly discriminated against,” reports the Leader Post.
The court will hear more submissions on Friday.
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