[Saffron]

Thus, the position of this one, faceless government lawyer was that a certain foreign lesbian couple — a Briton and an American — who had wed in Canada in 2005 and now wished to return to Canada to divorce, were not really married in Canada at all, since neither of their home countries' recognized the validity of their Canadian marriage.
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Let me preface my comment with this. I'm 100% pro gay marriage.
However, if a polygamous man came here with his 4 wives, is Canada legally obligated to recognize his marriages? No. In that respect, I can see how a couple's marriage in Canada would not be valid in their country of origin. It does make sense.

[Bruce_E_T]

Saffron wrote:

Let me preface my comment with this. I'm 100% pro gay marriage.
However, if a polygamous man came here with his 4 wives, is Canada legally obligated to recognize his marriages? No. In that respect, I can see how a couple's marriage in Canada would not be valid in their country of origin. It does make sense.

A rather slippery example I think.

Quote:

It is illegal by Section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Bigamy is banned by Section 290. However, for a long time, the law banning polygamy has not been efficient. As of January 2009, no person had been successfully prosecuted, i.e., convicted in over sixty years.

Wikipedia

More likely he (they) should not be allowed in. Actually countries of origin are not really any of our business. I think that as a matter of fairness couples who marry here should also be allowed a divorce here. The host countries should not be a factor aside from the fact the couples cannot get a legal divorce there.

On the other hand if the marriage is not considered legal in Florida, lets say, it would seem the Florida authorities don't really care what they do or don't do.

Not a grand day for marriage IMHO.