The Canadian decision to allow same-sex couples the right to marry may have implications that reach far beyond Canada's borders, says a Herald columnist. New Zealand law recognises the validity of any marriage solemnised in another country, and it is this piece of law, coupled with the fact that the Ontario province has no residency or citizenship requirements for couples who wish to wed, that technically means couples could travel to Canada to get married and return home as legal spouses. Local couples are already travelling overseas to take advantage of territories with more liberal civil union laws. Auckland couple Max Stewart and Alan Platt travelled to San Francisco this weekend to participate in a mass wedding at City Hall for Pride Week. "We don't have gay pride in New Zealand, can't do anything like this," said Stewart. "So we came here."