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CBC
8 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Here comes the MPP: Ontario bill could let politicians officiate weddings
Cut the red tape and cue the white dress. Two Ontario Progressive Conservative members of provincial parliament are proposing to remove a layer of bureaucracy and let MPPs such as themselves more easily officiate weddings. A private member's bill from Matthew Rae and Dave Smith would automatically grant an MPP the authority to solemnize marriages after they give written notice of their interest, without having to go through a municipality as with most non-religious officiants. "Not every single municipality actually has their clerk do weddings, so if you want a civil marriage, you have to go through a justice of the peace or a judge," Smith said. "When you look at some of the more northern, more remote, more rural ridings, you don't have as easy access to a justice of the peace or a judge and I just saw this as one of those things that's almost a red tape thing. We have the ability to make that change. It really doesn't have a negative effect. So why not do it?" Rae said engaged couples sometimes reach out to elected officials — including himself — to request that they solemnize their marriage, thinking they're granted that ability automatically, like judges. "Some are family and friends that live in my riding," he said. "Obviously, they think it would be kind of neat to have their local MPP perform the ceremony ... [it's] just another provincial service that a local member can choose to offer their constituents if they choose to do so. And so it really is just having that little extra special component to your happy day." Former MPP says he's done more than 70 weddings Rae personally availed himself of that extra special component when he got married last year, using Bill Walker, the former member of provincial parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, as his officiant. When it comes to politicians and weddings, Walker is the guy, both Smith and Rae said. Walker went through the whole regular process for becoming a civil marriage officiant, which includes a designation from a municipal clerk, and estimates he has done more than 70 weddings in just a few years. "It's humbling, for anybody, to be part of their special day, but especially if you've worked with them, or my goddaughters," Walker said. "It was pretty hard to top those." Walker's side gig as an officiant — he doesn't take any payment — began with a request from one of his goddaughters. "[She] thought that we had the right as an MPP to be able to do weddings, because Bill Murdoch, who was my predecessor [as the MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound], had done them up here forever, and I think she just thought it was one of those things you got to do," he said. "My other goddaughter said, 'Well, if you're marrying her, you've got to marry me."' It snowballed from there — including other friends, family and Queen's Park staffers — and Walker has about a dozen weddings on tap for this year. Bill to be further debated in fall The bill would allow provincial politicians who ask for the authority to perform marriages to keep that power for a full year after they leave office. That way, a snap election as the province saw earlier this year and an unexpected defeat doesn't leave an engaged couple with no officiant. Most private member's bills that get tabled come from opposition parties, and since this one is from within the government caucus it may be more likely than most to get through, but Rae and Smith said further discussions and debate are expected to be held in the fall. If the bill does become law, Rae said he isn't sure if he will set out to officiate weddings, but Smith is game. "I'll probably reach out to the minister if this passes, and ask for permission to do it," he said. "Any time you can break down barriers for people who want to spend their life together, then why not do that?"
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Here comes the MPP: Ontario bill could let politicians perform weddings
MPP for Perth-Wellington Matthew Rae, and his wife Meghan Thomson pose for a photo on their wedding day with Bill Walker, right, former MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, who acted as their officiant, in a Sept. 21, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Laurie Thomson TORONTO — Cut the red tape and cue the white dress. Two Ontario Progressive Conservative members of provincial parliament are proposing to remove a layer of bureaucracy and let MPPs such as themselves more easily officiate weddings. A private member's bill from Matthew Rae and Dave Smith would automatically grant an MPP the authority to solemnize marriages after they give written notice of their interest, without having to go through a municipality as with most non-religious officiants. 'Not every single municipality actually has their clerk do weddings, so if you want a civil marriage, you have to go through a justice of the peace or a judge,' Smith said. 'When you look at some of the more northern, more remote, more rural ridings, you don't have as easy access to a justice of the peace or a judge and I just saw this as one of those things that's almost a red tape thing. We have the ability to make that change. It really doesn't have a negative effect. So why not do it?' Rae said engaged couples sometimes reach out to elected officials – including himself – to request that they solemnize their marriage, thinking they're granted that ability automatically, like judges. 'Some are family and friends that live in my riding,' he said. 'Obviously, they think it would be kind of neat to have their local MPP perform the ceremony...(it's) just another provincial service that a local member can choose to offer their constituents if they choose to do so. And so it really is just having that little extra special component to your happy day.' Rae personally availed himself of that extra special component when he got married last year, using Bill Walker, the former member of provincial parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, as his officiant. When it comes to politicians and weddings, Walker is the guy, both Smith and Rae said. Walker went through the whole regular process for becoming a civil marriage officiant, which includes a designation from a municipal clerk, and estimates he has done more than 70 weddings in just a few years. 'It's humbling, for anybody, to be part of their special day, but especially if you've worked with them, or my goddaughters,' Walker said. 'It was pretty hard to top those.' Walker's side gig as an officiant – he doesn't take any payment – began with a request from one of his goddaughters. '(She) thought that we had the right as an MPP to be able to do weddings, because Bill Murdoch, who was my predecessor (as the MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound), had done them up here forever, and I think she just thought it was one of those things you got to do,' he said. 'My other goddaughter said, 'Well, if you're marrying her, you've got to marry me.'' It snowballed from there – including other friends, family and Queen's Park staffers – and Walker has about a dozen weddings on tap for this year. The bill would allow provincial politicians who ask for the authority to perform marriages to keep that power for a full year after they leave office. That way, a snap election as the province saw earlier this year and an unexpected defeat doesn't leave an engaged couple with no officiant. Most private member's bills that get tabled come from opposition parties, and since this one is from within the government caucus it may be more likely than most to get through, but Rae and Smith said further discussions and debate are expected to be held in the fall. If the bill does become law, Rae said he isn't sure if he will set out to officiate weddings, but Smith is game. 'I'll probably reach out to the minister if this passes, and ask for permission to do it,' he said. 'Any time you can break down barriers for people who want to spend their life together, then why not do that?' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Here comes the MPP: Ontario bill could let politicians perform weddings
MPP for Perth-Wellington Matthew Rae, and his wife Meghan Thomson pose for a photo on their wedding day with Bill Walker, right, former MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, who acted as their officiant, in a Sept. 21, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Laurie Thomson TORONTO — Cut the red tape and cue the white dress. Two Ontario Progressive Conservative members of provincial parliament are proposing to remove a layer of bureaucracy and let MPPs such as themselves more easily officiate weddings. A private member's bill from Matthew Rae and Dave Smith would automatically grant an MPP the authority to solemnize marriages after they give written notice of their interest, without having to go through a municipality as with most non-religious officiants. 'Not every single municipality actually has their clerk do weddings, so if you want a civil marriage, you have to go through a justice of the peace or a judge,' Smith said. 'When you look at some of the more northern, more remote, more rural ridings, you don't have as easy access to a justice of the peace or a judge and I just saw this as one of those things that's almost a red tape thing. We have the ability to make that change. It really doesn't have a negative effect. So why not do it?' Rae said engaged couples sometimes reach out to elected officials – including himself – to request that they solemnize their marriage, thinking they're granted that ability automatically, like judges. 'Some are family and friends that live in my riding,' he said. 'Obviously, they think it would be kind of neat to have their local MPP perform the ceremony...(it's) just another provincial service that a local member can choose to offer their constituents if they choose to do so. And so it really is just having that little extra special component to your happy day.' Rae personally availed himself of that extra special component when he got married last year, using Bill Walker, the former member of provincial parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, as his officiant. When it comes to politicians and weddings, Walker is the guy, both Smith and Rae said. Walker went through the whole regular process for becoming a civil marriage officiant, which includes a designation from a municipal clerk, and estimates he has done more than 70 weddings in just a few years. 'It's humbling, for anybody, to be part of their special day, but especially if you've worked with them, or my goddaughters,' Walker said. 'It was pretty hard to top those.' Walker's side gig as an officiant – he doesn't take any payment – began with a request from one of his goddaughters. '(She) thought that we had the right as an MPP to be able to do weddings, because Bill Murdoch, who was my predecessor (as the MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound), had done them up here forever, and I think she just thought it was one of those things you got to do,' he said. 'My other goddaughter said, 'Well, if you're marrying her, you've got to marry me.'' It snowballed from there – including other friends, family and Queen's Park staffers – and Walker has about a dozen weddings on tap for this year. The bill would allow provincial politicians who ask for the authority to perform marriages to keep that power for a full year after they leave office. That way, a snap election as the province saw earlier this year and an unexpected defeat doesn't leave an engaged couple with no officiant. Most private member's bills that get tabled come from opposition parties, and since this one is from within the government caucus it may be more likely than most to get through, but Rae and Smith said further discussions and debate are expected to be held in the fall. If the bill does become law, Rae said he isn't sure if he will set out to officiate weddings, but Smith is game. 'I'll probably reach out to the minister if this passes, and ask for permission to do it,' he said. 'Any time you can break down barriers for people who want to spend their life together, then why not do that?' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
CBC
26-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Here's what advanced polls turnout looked like in Waterloo region, surrounding area
Advance polls for the Ontario election closed Saturday and the voter turnout results are in. Guelph, Waterloo region and other parts of CBC K-W's listening area saw more than 51,000 votes cast. Elections Ontario data shows that just over six per cent of eligible Ontario voters cast an early ballot. The local riding that saw the highest advanced turnout was Perth-Wellington with 9.5 per cent of eligible voters hitting the polls. Progressive Conservative incumbent Matthew Rae is looking to defend his seat against six other candidates in that riding. The riding with the lowest turnout was Cambridge, with only about 4.6 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot early. Incumbent Progressive Conservative candidate Brian Riddell is looking to keep his seat against five other candidates, including current and former municipal politicians. See a breakdown of voter turnout in each riding below: Andrea Perrella is a researcher in political behaviour and participation at Wilfrid Laurier University. In an interview on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, he said winter weather could have been a reason for low voter turnout. "It's the winter, so I don't expect high turnout when it's snowy and cold," he said, adding that "it's hard to tell how advanced polling indicates ultimate bottom line turnout for the provinces." According to Elections Ontario, 678,789 — or roughly 6.14 per cent of eligible voters — voted in the three-day advance voting period. Perrella said voters had more days to vote early in past elections, saying "2022 was 10 advanced days, that was like 104,000 people a day ... 2018 was five days and it was like 130,000 a day." He said if voters are given more time, it's more likely they'll turn out to cast their ballot. "Those people who always vote will vote no matter," said Perrella. "But the rest of those who may or may not vote, or may not vote in every election, give them more time ... and more of them will take advantage."
CBC
26-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Here's what early voter turnout looked like in Waterloo region, surrounding area
Early voting for the Ontario election closed Saturday and the voter turnout results are in. Guelph, Waterloo region and other parts of CBC K-W's listening area saw more than 51,000 votes cast. Elections Ontario data shows that just over six per cent of eligible Ontario voters cast an early ballot. The local riding that saw the highest advanced turnout was Perth-Wellington with 9.5 per cent of eligible voters hitting the polls. Progressive Conservative incumbent Matthew Rae is looking to defend his seat against six other candidates in that riding. The riding with the lowest turnout was Cambridge, with only about 4.6 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot early. Incumbent Progressive Conservative candidate Brian Riddell is looking to keep his seat against five other candidates, including current and former municipal politicians. See a breakdown of voter turnout in each riding below: Andrea Perella is a researcher in political behaviour and participation at Wilfrid Laurier University. In an interview on CBC K-W's The Morning Edition, he said winter weather could have been a reason for low voter turnout. "It's the winter, so I don't expect high turnout when it's snowy and cold," he said, adding that "it's hard to tell how advanced polling indicates ultimate bottom line turnout for the provinces." According to Elections Ontario, 678,789 — or roughly 6.14 per cent of eligible voters — voted in the three-day advance voting period. Perella said voters had more days to vote early in past elections, saying "2022 was 10 advanced days, that was like 104,000 people a day ... 2018 was five days and it was like 130,000 a day." He said if voters are given more time, it's more likely they'll turn out to cast their ballot. "Those people who always vote will vote no matter," said Perella. "But the rest of those who may or may not vote, or may not vote in every election, give them more time ... and more of them will take advantage."
