(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Adults in Canada are divided over the effect of same-sex marriage in the next federal election, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 48 per cent of respondents believe a party's and leader's position on the issue will be an important factor in determining their vote.

Over the past two years, the courts in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, and Newfoundland and Labrador have ruled to permit legal same-sex marriages. On Dec. 9, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of allowing the federal government to go ahead with a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage. The country's foremost tribunal said the constitution protects the rights of homosexual partners to formalize their bonds.

On Feb. 1, the government introduced legislation aimed at legalizing same-sex marriage in the entire country. Prime minister Paul Martin has guaranteed Liberal party members a "free vote" on the bill, saying he expects cabinet members and parliamentary secretaries to support it. 60 per cent of respondents in Alberta say same-sex marriage will be an important factor in determining their next federal vote.

The governing Liberals currently control 134 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons. If approved, the law would stipulate that no religious institutions would be forced to perform same-sex marriages.

Conservative party leader Stephen Harper and Giles Duceppe of the Bloc Québécois have guaranteed a "free vote" for a combined 153 lawmakers. The New Democratic Party's Jack Layton said he expects his party's 19 representatives to support the bill.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "In the next federal election, a party's and leader's position on same-sex marriage will be an important factor in determining how I vote."

Provincial Breakdown
(Only "Agree" responses)

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