Ontario Lets MPPs Officiate Civil Weddings

Summary#

This bill changes Ontario’s Marriage Act to let Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) officiate (perform) civil wedding ceremonies. It adds MPPs to the list of people allowed to marry couples, as long as the couple has a valid marriage licence.

• MPPs can officiate weddings after they send written notice to the Minister.
• Former MPPs can keep officiating for up to 12 months after leaving office.
• All other rules for getting married stay the same, including getting a marriage licence.
• The change takes effect as soon as the bill receives Royal Assent (becomes law).

What it means for you#

• Couples

  • More choice of officiants. You can ask your local MPP to perform your wedding.
  • You still need to get a marriage licence and follow all existing steps.
  • Fees, locations, and ceremony options are unchanged by this bill.

• MPPs and former MPPs

  • If you give written notice to the Minister, you may officiate civil marriages.
  • You can continue for up to one year after you leave office.

• Municipalities and existing officiants

  • No loss of authority. Judges, justices of the peace, municipal clerks/designates, and religious officiants remain authorized.
  • Likely minor administrative coordination if couples choose an MPP instead of a municipal officiant.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Gives couples more choice and flexibility for their ceremony.
• Lets constituents be married by someone they know and elected, which can feel meaningful.
• May reduce wait times or scheduling bottlenecks in busy seasons.
• Simple change that does not alter eligibility for marriage or existing safeguards.

Opponents' View#

• Could blur the line between public office and personal events, risking politicization of weddings.
• May create uneven access if some MPPs accept requests and others do not.
• Unclear training or standards for MPPs compared to existing civil officiants.
• Adds minor administrative work to track notices and manage requests without clear benefits.