This bill, called the Marriage Amendment Act, 2025, changes the rules about who can perform marriage ceremonies in Ontario. It allows a member of the Legislative Assembly (the government group that makes laws) to officiate marriages if they tell the Minister (a government official) in writing that they want to do so. This permission lasts for one year after the person no longer serves as a member of the Assembly. The bill will become law once the King (or Queen) approves it.
If someone who is a member of the Assembly wants to marry people, they can now be authorized to perform marriages for a year after they leave office. This could include new or current members of the Assembly who are interested in officiating weddings. If you plan to get married, this could mean a wider choice of officiants if a member of the Assembly is involved. The bill does not change who can perform marriages overall, but it adds this specific option for Assembly members within a year of leaving office.
The bill does not specify any costs associated with its implementation. Since it creates a new rule for Assembly members who want to officiate marriages, the government may need to update its records and notify officials, but detailed costs are not provided. Data unavailable.
Supporters might say this bill provides more opportunities for Assembly members to participate in community events like weddings. They might argue it allows officials to stay involved locally even after leaving office, which could strengthen community ties. The bill’s supporters might also see it as a way to give Assembly members a way to serve their communities in a new role.
Opponents might express concern about the change increasing the number of people authorized to perform marriages without extensive training or certification. They may worry about consistency and quality of marriage ceremonies. Some may see this as an unnecessary change that could complicate marriage laws or lead to confusion about who is authorized to officiate.