Yellowknife (Dec 15/04) - The territorial government has moved one step closer to passing legislation to provide gay and lesbian couples with full common-law rights.

The Modernization of Benefits Act will update nearly 30 statutes and provide a more inclusive definition of a "spousal" relationship, Justice Minister Charles Dent told a panel of MLAs, Dec. 8 in Yellowknife.

"Same-sex couples will be treated the same as heterosexual common-law couples who live together in similar circumstances," Dent said.

The bill was somewhat overshadowed last week by a Supreme Court decision that declared same-sex marriages constitutional, but the measure still represents a significant victory, said Don Babey, a spokesperson for the gay and lesbian advocacy group Out North.

"On the ground, it is very important because it affects people who aren't married," said Babey.

The bill was read for a second time in the legislative assembly Oct. 22, before being referred to the standing committee.

A handful of changes will probably be made to the act before it is read for a third and final time -- most likely during the next session of the legislative assembly in January, Dent said.