11/28/11: Polygamy Ban Upheld in Canada

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British Columbia Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman last week upheld Canada’s polygamy law, which makes multiple marriages illegal.
The judge said that while the law “minimally impairs” the constitutional right of religious freedom, it is justified by the harms polygamy causes to women, children and society.

The decision was handed down after a 42-day constitutional reference case held this spring. The question of the law’s constitutionality stemmed from a stay of proceedings in the 2009 polygamy prosecutions of Winston Blackmore and James Oler of the Bountiful community in B.C.

Attorney-General Shirley Bond welcomed the decision, saying the landmark ruling embraced the government’s entire argument about the profound depth of harm that’s created from polygamous relationships.