The Canadian Alliance is trying another tactic to register opposition to the federal government's same-sex marriage bill.
In the Commons on Thursday, Alliance Leader Stephen Harper introduced a private member's bill that would reaffirm the traditional definition of marriage as being a union between a man and a woman.
His bill was introduced just two days after a similar, controversial Alliance motion, which would have reaffirmed traditional marriage in Canada, was defeated by only five votes. The motion, which had only symbolic significance but was meant to show Liberal division on the issue, was shot down 137-132. It was supported by more than 50 Liberal backbenchers.
Mr. Harper's bill also says that the provinces should have the jurisdiction to make legal any other types of relationships outside of marriage, "including same-sex partnerships."
In a speech to MPs Thursday morning, Mr. Harper said, "The definition of marriage needs to be clarified, and this bill does that. ... Our party is trying to make sure that democracy isn't thrown out the window on an important issue of social policy."
The Liberal government announced plans to legalize gay marriage after several courts ruled that the current definition of marriage is unconstitutional.
Mr. Harper argued Thursday that the government's same-sex bill, which is under review by the Supreme Court of Canada — and probably will not be ruled on until the spring —leaves the issue in limbo.
He accused the federal government of "bowing down to the courts" on the issue, saying later in the day that he feels the decision on same-sex marriage should be one for "elected people, not appointed ones."
"It was deliberate inaction on the part of the Liberals that has allowed us to arrive at today's absurd situation, with traditional marriage being the law of the land in all but two provinces," Mr. Harper said.
Courts in Ontario and British Columbia have ruled in favour of gay couples seeking a legal right to marry on the grounds the definition of marriage is discriminatory.
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, meanwhile, has been under pressure from some cabinet ministers and MPs to table the bill, which would redefine marriage to include same-sex couples, in the House next month rather than wait a year for the court ruling.
Another wrinkle is the upcoming Liberal leadership race, which is likely to be won by candidate Paul Martin. Some supporters of the bill fear Mr. Martin may change the proposed legislation if he takes over as Liberal leader.
Mr. Martin, who was making an economic speech in Montreal on Thursday, told reporters that while he supports the government's efforts on the same-sex marriage bill, he still believes there are other options that can be explored.
In August, he opened the door to the idea of replacing civil marriages with civil unions and leaving marriage up to churches.
Alberta MP Grant Hill, who introduced the Alliance bill, said he believes the Supreme Court of Canada would uphold the current definition of marriage.
Private members' bills rarely pass, but the issue of same-sex marriage is volatile, and many Liberals could support the Alliance. The bill, titled Bill C-447, received first reading in the Commons on Thursday.
Besides Tuesday's close vote, MPs voted on another private member's bill related to homosexuals this week. NDP MP Svend Robinson's bill to extend hate-crime protection to gays and lesbians passed Wednesday, against with a small margin.
The bill passed 141-110 and must now be passed by the Senate before it becomes law.
With reports from Canadian Press
