|
Canadian Reports Calls on Government To Legalize Polygamy |
|
|
|
Written by Staff
|
|
Friday, 13 January 2006 |
The Associated Press has released documents obtained by the Access to Information Act in which the Canadian Justice Department recommends that "Canada should legalize polygamy and focus on legislation to help women and children living in such multiple-spouse relationships."
The proclamation is the result of a year-long study into the feasibility of proclaiming that the current laws governing polygamy or the practice of a man having several wives at the same time, are dated, useless and rarely prosecuted in Canada.
The polygamy study was conducted by law professors at Ontario's Queen's University. Their report indicates that to decriminalize polygamy would increase protection to the woman and children involved in a multiple-marriage relationship. At this time, women married to a polygamist do not enjoy the same spousal and inheritance rights as do women in a traditional marriage. Children of a ploygamist union also are not recognized in the same way as children of traditional unions.
The practice of polygamy is addressed by lawmakers in several different ways throughout the country but according to the AP news report, Ontario is one province that allows limited recognition to immigrant polygamous marriages.
Although the final report recommends that the criminalization of polgamy be repealed, Justice Minister Irwin Cotler has said that the government has no immediate plans to reverse the current laws. |
