Gay Marriage now the Law in Canada...

The same-sex marriage bill has now received royal assent and is now the law of Canada.

Canada's same-sex marriage bill has been given royal assent and is now the law.

Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin gave royal assent to Bill C-38, filling in for Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson, who is on medical leave.

The bill was passed by the Senate, 47-21, in a late-night vote Tuesday, a few days ahead of schedule. Three of the 95 sitting senators abstained.

The House of Commons passed Bill C-38 in late June, ending years of heated debate.

Canada is the fourth country in the world to sanction same-sex marriage, following similar moves by Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium.

As the debate on the legislation dragged on, Liberal senators threatened to invoke closure and call a snap vote. But the debate ran its course with the last word coming from Liberal Senator Ione Christensen, who read an e-mail from a Yukon constituent.

"You have no idea what a difference it makes to the human spirit to know that you are treated equally under the law," Christensen said.

Big question now is whether the Conservative Party will drop this as an issue.