Manitoba has become the fourth province in Canada to legalize same-sex marriage, following Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia (see previous report on this story on JURIST's Paper Chase). Justice Douglas Yard ruled the definition of marriage is unconstitutional after three couples challenged the definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Yard said "the traditional definition of marriage is no longer constitutionally valid in view of the provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms." Despite this decision, the government retains the final decision on the defition of marriage. The Supreme Court of Canada is currently reviewing legislation that would change the definition of marriage. CBC has more.