Same-sex parents don't have to adopt own kids under new Ontario law

Same-sex parents in Ontario and others who use assisted reproduction to conceive no longer have to adopt their own children.

The All Families Are Equal Act ensures that couples who use sperm donors or a surrogate are legally recognized as parents.

It passed the Ontario legislature unanimously today, though nearly half of the Progressive Conservative caucus was absent for the vote.

• Ontario to change law that forces same-sex couples to adopt their own kids

Some of the absent members represent the more socially conservative views in the caucus, including a 19-year-old who was elected in a byelection Nov. 17 but has delayed his swearing-in until at least Wednesday.

The Liberals failed in a last-minute request to delay the vote to wait for Sam Oosterhoff, who says he is "100 per cent pro-life" and campaigned against the updated sex-ed curriculum.

Social conservatives fought against the bill, upset that the term "parent" is used instead of "mother and father."