Gay "marriage" highlights fall sitting of Alberta legislature
EDMONTON (CP) - Alberta plans to extend marriage-like rights to gays and lesbians during the fall sitting of the legislature that begins Tuesday.
The Adult Interdependent Relationships Act will also cover common-law heterosexuals and people in committed non-sexual relationships such as close friends or relatives who live together, said Justice Minister David Hancock.
"Marriage is between a man and a woman, excluding all others," Hancock said. "But the other relationships ought to have the responsibilities and access to the law."
The changes will mean gays and lesbians will have the right to inherit property when a partner dies. The province was forced to introduce the legislation last spring to comply with court rulings that said not extending such rights amounts to discrimination.
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