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A ruling by a provincial court in Canada could have wider implications across the country for same-sex marriages.

An appeals court says public marriage commissioners cannot refuse to marry same-sex couples on religious grounds.

Advocates for gays and lesbians say this case sets an important precedent that will help to deter discrimination against same-sex couples who want to marry.

The Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the validity of same-sex marriages in 2004.

But some marriage commissioners in the western province of Saskatchewan refused to conduct those marriages, saying it was a violation of their personal religious beliefs and they then launched a legal challenge.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/11/3110653.htm?section=justin

The province's Court of Appeal has ruled that those marriage commissioners cannot refuse because they are appointed by the government to perform non-religious ceremonies and on the suggestion that couples find another commissioner the court said that was contrary to the fundamental principles of equality in a democratic society.