Alberta to recognize validity of same-sex marriages - Action News
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Alberta to recognize validity of same-sex marriages

The Alberta government will bring in legislation this session to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.

Transgender persons will be able to change their birth certificates without surgery

Definition of marriage in Alberta's Marriage Act to be expanded, interim premier Dave Hancock's office said Wednesday. (CBC)

The Alberta government will bring in legislation thissession to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.

"I think it's an important step forward," saidSandra Jansen, associate minister for family and community safety, who is introducing the amendments. "It's a simple housekeeping process. It moves us to where we need to be,aligned with the federal government.

"It's a good day for us."

The legislation willchange the preamble to the Marriage Act that currently definesmarriage as an institution between a man and a woman.

The changes were approved by the Progressive Conservative caucus.

Alberta's Marriage Act preamble, passed in 2000, has never beenupdated even though the federal government made same-sex marriages legal in 2005.

The decision comes days after some Progressive Conservatives andtheWildroseparty were criticized for joining forces to defeat anon-binding motion to urge schools to bring in gay-straightalliances.

The changes will be introduced in the spring session, interim premier Dave Hancock said.

All opposition parties are indicating they will vote for the amendments.

With files from The Canadian Press