Canadian Study Urges Legalization of Polygamy

A new study commissioned by the Canadian federal government recommends the legalization of polygamy and legislation to help women and children living in plural relationships. Friday's National Post reported on the study conducted by three law professors at Queen's University in Kingston. The drafters said that the current polygamy ban may well be unconstitutional under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a violation of freedom of religion. Polygamy has been practised for more than 60 years in Bountiful, British Columbia by a fundamentalist Mormon community living there. Last year, the RCMP investigated allegations of child abuse and sexual exploitation by the group, but no charges were filed.