What is the legal difference between Civil union and marriage?

What is the legal difference between Civil union and marriage?


In canadaWhat is the legal difference between Civil union and marriage?
Civil Unions do not exist in Canada, with the exception being Quebec for a brief period of time.





The Federal Government is responsible for the definition of marriage while the provinces are responsible for the administration of marriage.





Earlier in the decade provincial courts began striking down marriage laws as being unconstitutional due to its infringement on Equality Rights. Most provinces started allowing for same-sex marriages immediately following the court rulings. Quebec enacted legislation that created Civil Union for same-sex couples. Civil unions carried the same legal benefits as marriage, but were not the same as marriage.





In 2005 the Civil Marriage Act was passed through Parliament. As a result, marriage was no longer considered to be between a man and a woman. It also recognized that no one would be forced to perform same-sex marriage if it were against their religious beliefs.What is the legal difference between Civil union and marriage?
Ok...





atheists, even if they don't get married in a church, are still considered married, they get a marriage certificate from the state (unless they're gay)





it's the certificate that gives all of the legal benefits of marriages





in some states civil unions give a few rights of marriage


in some civil unions give all the rights of marriage that the state can give





the federal government doesn't give any benefits to gays because of a law passed in 1996, (social security, death tax, etc)
Nothing as far as I know.

gloss