In July 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world, after the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain, to legalize same-sex marriages nationwide. This new legal status for gays and lesbians has been a controversial issue in Canada, both in the public and in Parliament. This article provides a historical and legal overview of same-sex marriage in Canada. It outlines how gay and lesbian rights have evolved in Canada over time, important court cases that motivated the legalization of same-sex marriage, and key tenets of the federal legislation that officially recognized same-sex marriage.