Same-sex marriage in Newfoundland and Labrador has been legal since December 21, 2004, when the province was ordered by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples. This decision followed similar cases in seven other provinces and territories, and pre-dated by seven months the federal Civil Marriage Act of 2005, which legalised same-sex marriage throughout Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador was the eighth jurisdiction in Canada to legalise same-sex marriage, and the eleventh worldwide. Court ruling On November 4, 2004, two lesbian couples who had been denied marriage licences filed a lawsuit, Pottle et al v. Attorney General of Canada et al, against the federal and provincial governments, requesting that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador be ordered to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples. The couples were Jacqueline Pottle and Noelle French, and Lisa Zigler and Theresa Walsh. Newfoundland and Labrador thus became the eighth of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories to have such a lawsuit filed. The Government of Canada had recently ceased to oppose such lawsuits. The Provincial Government also did not oppose the lawsuit; the provincial Attorney General, Tom Marshall, announced that his office would not oppose the suit. The case began on December 13, and was heard starting on December 20, 2004. Justice Derek Green of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador took only one day to decide to follow the precedents from the other provinces and Yukon and ordered that same-sex couples be issued marriage licences, thus making same-sex marriage legal in Newfoundland and Labrador. Attorney General Marshall indicated that the government would comply immediately. Celebrating the ruling, French said, "It means so much for us to be able to marry right here in Newfoundland, rather than having to travel to another province. Now my parents will be able to come to our wedding. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. We're getting married this Thursday, right here in St. John's. We're so honored that Mayor Wells will be performing our ceremony." Ms. Pottle and Ms. French were married on December 23 by Andy Wells, the Mayor of St. John's. Ms. Walsh also celebrated the court ruling, saying "Marriage signifies societal recognition and affirmation of a relationship between two people who love each other and are committed to each other. I love Lisa and want to be with her for the rest of my life." Spokespeople