Indigenous officiants will now be able to perform marriage ceremonies according to their customs and traditions.
The Ontario government has amended the Marriage Act to allow Indigenous communities and organizations to appoint officiants who will be able to solemnize a marriage and to submit it for registration with the Ontario Registrar General.
The new changes are effective today, Oct. 8.
The amendments will allow a person to perform a ceremony in Ontario if:
- a person is registered to solemnize marriages under the Marriage Act;
- a person belongs to a band, a First Nation, Métis or Inuit organization, or a community or a permanently established Indigenous entity located in Ontario;
- and if a person is recognized by the band, First Nation, Métis or Inuit organization or by a community or Indigenous entity as someone who is entitled to perform marriages in accordance with its customs and traditions.
“Our government is proud to take action to build a more inclusive province by legally recognizing the role of Indigenous marriage officiants and ceremonies," Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford said in a statement. "We have listened to advice from Indigenous partners and acted to ensure the Marriage Act respects the diversity of Indigenous communities and cultures, reflecting our commitment to advancing reconciliation.”
The province made amendments to the Marriage Act after receiving input from Indigenous people, communities and organizations across Ontario.
“Culture is at the heart of marriage traditions and I am pleased we have been able to recognize the role of marriage solemnizers from Indigenous communities and organizations in Ontario,” Minister of Government and Consumer Services Lisa Thompson said in a statement. "Thank you to our Indigenous partners for your support in amending the Marriage Act to include a greater diversity of marriage officiants. This is an important step forward in strengthening our relationship.
