Same-sex marriage in Nunavut has been legal since 20 July 2005. The Canadian territory began granting marriage licences to same-sex couples upon the passage of the federal Civil Marriage Act. In October 2003, Premier Paul Okalik announced that same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions would be legally recognized in Nunavut. Background On 30 October 2003, Premier Paul Okalik made the following statement: "If developments in the Parliament of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada result in the definition of marriage being broadened, we will respect the law and comply with that. In the meantime, anyone in Nunavut who has been legally married anywhere will be recognized by the Government of Nunavut as married." Okalik further suggested that the territory would perform same-sex divorces should the issue arise. He also succeeded in passing a territorial human rights code banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. As well, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal MP for the riding of Nunavut, was re-elected in the 2006 election after having supported same-sex marriage. During the February 2004 general election, one of Premier Okalik's main opponents ran on the basis that he would repeal the territory's human rights legislation on sexual orientation, and would not recognize same-sex marriages. In 2005, a group of Inuit leaders called same-sex marriage "disruptive to traditional values" at a meeting of the Justice Committee of the House of Commons. Chris Trott, an associate professor at the University of Manitoba, says, "the elders are probably correct to say formal gay relationships are an example of southern influence. Practically speaking, liberation for Inuit homosexuals came in the form of the English language. In the encounter with the west, and in speaking English, they have a way of talking about that now. Once people find the vocabulary to articulate what they're feeling, then they say it. And I think that's what's going on now. Young people now have a way of speaking about it." Anglican and Pentecostal religious leaders have been adamantly opposed to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Nunavut, often referring to it as "contrary to Inuit culture". A local in Iqaluit who was asked to comment for the Nunatsiaq News said "it's interesting to see religious leaders offering opinions on how Inuit should behave when Christianity itself is a southern import.". Territorial legislation In October 2011, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut amended the Marriage Act (, ; Inuinnaqtun: Katitiviliqinikkut Maligaq; )