Same-sex marriage in Quebec

On March 19, 2004, the Quebec Court of Appeals ruled similarly to the Ontario and B.C. courts, upholding Hendricks and Leboeuf v. Quebec and ordering that it take effect immediately. (365gay.com) The couple who brought the suit, Michael Hendricks and René Leboeuf, immediately sought a marriage license; the usual 20-day waiting period was waived, and they were wed on April 1 at the Palais de justice de Montreal.

The Quebec decision meant that more than two-thirds of the Canadian population were living in provinces where same-sex marriage is legal. Subsequent cases as well as federal legislation, have expanded this number to cover the entire country.

The Quebec government had previously legalized civil unions for both same-sex and opposite-sex partners. See civil unions in Quebec.