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OTTAWA – The passage of Bill C-38, legislation that will extend marriage rights to all lesbian and gay Canadians, is a victory for human rights says the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

This is a victory for human rights across Canada, a step forward for equal rights for all lesbian and gay Canadians,” says CUPE National President Paul Moist about yesterday’s passage of Bill C-38 legislation by members of Parliament.

The legislation, which now goes to the Senate and for royal assent, extends long-awaiting equal marriage rights to all lesbians and gays across the country. Eight Canadian courts earlier ruled that excluding gay men and women from civil marriage was discriminatory.

CUPE members had earlier passed resolutions in support of civil marriage rights for same-sex couples at its national convention.

CUPE is Canada’s largest union with 540,000 women and men who provide public services. CUPE members work on the front lines of municipalities, community agencies, health care facilities, school boards and more.

Contact:
Paul Moist, CUPE national president, cell, 613-558-2873;
Claude Généreux, CUPE national secretary-treasurer (porte-parole francophone), cell, 514-884-5074;
Sandi Howell, CUPE Equality branch, 613-237-1590, ext. 314.