Current mood:	busy
Current music:	Los Lonley Boys - More than Love

are the Canadians really smarter than us?
So what the hell is Washington's problem anyway?

TORONTO, Ontario (AP) -- In a landmark opinion, Canada's Supreme Court said Thursday that proposed legislation allowing gay marriage is constitutional, but the government cannot force religious officials to perform unions against their beliefs.

The Liberal government had sought the court's opinion, which is strictly advisory, as the House of Commons determines whether to legalize gay marriage at a federal level.

Judges in six provinces and one territory have already allowed same-sex marriage.

Canada would join Belgium and the Netherlands in allowing gay marriage if the law is passed.

"Several centuries ago, it would have been understood that marriage be available only to opposite-sex couples," the court said in its opinion.

"The recognition of same-sex marriage in several Canadian jurisdictions as well as two European countries belies the assertion that the same is true today."

The legislation is expected to be introduced early next year. The federal Conservatives and even some Liberal lawmakers were expected to wage a bitter battle to limit marriage to heterosexuals.

The gay marriage law needs the backing of at least 155 legislators in the 308-seat House of Commons to pass. It has the backing of the 38 Liberal Cabinet members and is believed to be supported by nearly all legislators in the Bloc Quebecois and New Democrat parties, which have 54 and 19 seats.

Supporters now need support from about half the 95 Liberal backbenchers. However, there is some dissent in the ranks.

"I do personally have a problem with redefining marriage and I'm sure some of my colleagues do as well," said Liberal lawmaker Roy Cullen.

Public opinion in Canada is evenly divided on the matter, and both sides are preparing for the next phase of the battle.

"This is a victory for Canadian values," said Alexander Munster of Canadians for Equal Marriage.

The Liberal government had asked the court to consider whether the federal government has the authority to define marriage, meant as a pre-emptive strike against provincial attempts to overturn a gay marriage law that might be passed. It also asked the court to consider whether religious groups must perform gay weddings and whether the proposed law is constitutional.

Also on Thursday, New Zealand's Parliament approved a bill that recognizes civil unions between unwed gay and straight couples but stops short of legalizing same-sex marriages.