Actually... it's required as stated in the country specific guide. Below they look like they're presented as the same thing.. but they are opposites. It's doubly confusing because they also ask for a marriage certificate.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3905e.pdf
8 IDENTITY AND CIVIL STATUS DOCUMENTS
1) For the Philippines
The following original documents are required for you (principal applicant, regardless of age) and
for each of your dependent children, if applicable:
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Death Certificate
• No record of marriage (CENOMAR) or Advisory on marriages
These documents must be issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and printed on NSO paper.
If ... Then ...
a birth, marriage or death occurred in another
country and is not registered with NSO,
provide the original certificate issued
abroad.
there are any discrepancies in your and your
family member's documents,
submit these together with a sworn affidavit
explaining those discrepancies.
your or any of your dependent's birth is late
registered or there is NO RECORD of
registration of birth with NSO,
additional original identity documents must
be submitted, such as:
• baptismal certificate,
• permanent elementary and high school
records,
• voter's ID or voter's certificate,
• old passports,
• birth certificate issued by the Local Civil
Registrar
Note: Your birth is late registered if the registration date indicated on your birth certificate is more
than a month after your birth. The registration date is the date your birth certificate was received at
the Office of Local Civil Registrar.
If you or your sponsor were previously married or in a common-law relationship, provide certified
copies of the following (as applicable), for each marriage or relationship:
• Divorce Certificate
• Annulment documents (Court Petition and Court Order/Decision)
• Separation Certificate
• Death Certificate, if widowed. Original NSO Death Certificate must be submitted if ex-spouse
died in the Philippines
• Declaration of Severance of Common-law Relationship
8) THERE IT IS JUST UNDER 8) 8) DEATH CERTIFICATE 8) 8) of course you dont need a death certificate, and then it says no record of marraige well your married you dont need that stupid item (you already got that b4 you were married and it said you were single) Why is it when CEM knows over 50% do not include this DOC that they dont make it clearer it is reqd, maybe its a good excuse to blame the applicant for the slow application procedure