Free vote in commons

The free vote on same-sex marriage was held today, and the majority of MPs voted against re-opening the debate:

The last major threat to same-sex marriage rights in Canada was soundly defeated in the House of Commons on Thursday, with MPs sending the message they don't want to revisit the emotional, divisive debate.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he heard the message and will respect it. "We made a promise to have a free vote on this issue, we kept that promise, and obviously the vote was decisive and obviously we'll accept the democratic result of the people's representatives," Harper said. "I don't see reopening this question in the future."

The question put to MPs was whether they wanted to see legislation drafted to reinstate the traditional definition of marriage, while respecting the existing marriages of gays and lesbians.

That Conservative motion failed 175-123.

I'm glad that issue is off the table for the mid-term future at any rate.

I really did wonder why Harper wanted a vote on this, as the population is probably even more in favour of the current situation than they were at this time last year. Perhaps he had to show support for his more traditional supporters, and a free vote in the house is sufficient for that purpose.