The Canadian government has called on the Federal Government to ensure all its citizens enjoy equal basic rights regardless of their sexual orientation.
This is following the prohibition of same-sex marriage bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday.
A statement by Mr. John Baird, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister,? made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, said the bill when passed into law would disregard basic human rights and freedom.
''The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy, Canada has clearly spoken out against human rights violations committed against persons on the basis of their sexuality.''
?“Through the Commonwealth and other forums, Canada will continue to make this point in the most forceful of terms,” it said.
The bill which stipulates a 14-year jail sentence for offenders was widely supported by the senators who unanimously described same-sex marriage as a taboo to Nigerian tradition.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has approved a penalty of 14 years of imprisonment for any person who enters into same sex marriage contract or civil union in the country.
This followed the third reading of the bill for an Act to prohibit solemnization of marriage between members of the same sex sponsored by Sen. Domingo Obende and 24 other Senators.
The bill was passed after the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters at the floor of the Senate.
The Senate also approved that any person who witnesses, abets or aids the solemnisation of same sex-marriage was liable to a jail term of 10 years.
The bill further specified that any person or group that registers or operates a gay club was liable to 10 years of imprisonment.
The bill was read for the first time at the floor of the Senate on July 13.
In his ruling, Senate President David Mark warned the developed nations to stop any attempt to violate Nigeria's value system.
Mark said passing the bill was a declaration that Nigeria would not trade its long held values for economic aid.