Note that the law doesn't just criminalize 'making-out' with more than one partner at a time. It likewise criminalizes anyone who even "celebrates" such a union. Both prohibitions appear to be glaring violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

I question the author's belief that the 1890's law was intended to protect women. It looks very much like a prohibition based on morality.

It seems very unlikely to me that Section 293 will survive in its current form on appeal by Mr. Blackmore and Mr. Oler. Ironically, the part of S. 293 that they're concerned with, (i) above, looks to be constitutional because it speaks directly to Parliament's definition of "marriage." That's a definition best left up to citizens and their lawmakers. So it's difficult to see how Blackmore and Oler will prevail in their appeal to have dozens of wives, regardless of their religious convictions.