But the Dominion government is prepared, shortly to have a vote on the changing of a law, the definition of marriage that is already declared void in most of Canada. This is a vote that could have taken place as soon as possible after the 2002 court decision in Ontario.
But then, as Martin became Prime Minister, instead of having political backbone, he stalled the issue by sending a reference to the Supreme Court in Canada which was then asked some pretty obvious questions. One question, on the constitutionality of the traditional definition wasn't answered by the Supreme Court.
Stephen Harper picked up on this and began to defend "traditional" marriage. However the Court's refusal to answer this question was not really, as he saw it the respect of "parliamentary supremacy" but rather denying the Government of Canada a backdoor appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeals decision. The Supreme Court of Canada saw no reason to put doubt on the decisions of lower courts. Tradition marriage definition is unconstitutional and it is only with a strange legal system that a federal law can be valid in one province and invalid in another.
Parliament will effectively pass the amendment since the Cabinet members and parliamentary secretaries in the Liberal Party are not permitted a free vote, the NDP is not allowing dissent and much of the Bloc Quebecois are in favour of equal marriage.
Conservatives are reacting, as conservatives do, to change. Ralph Klein wants a referendum on the question (one which would still go in favour of equal marriage, according to recent polls) and Stephen Harper is under the delusion that there is another option than the notwithstanding clause and has now created a rift in his own party.
The Conservative party has no policy, since a policy convention hasn't yet taken place. The leader, in a recent ad campaign took position on the issue. Many Conservatives say they hadn't been consulted. While most of the Conservative MPs are against equal marriage, a rift is starting to show in the party between Social Conservatives and Red Tories, classical liberals and others in the Conservative Party based on economic ideology rather than social values.
The NDP is also facing some problems as Bev Desjarlais is threatening to vote against the party line. Many New Democrats feel that her refusal to support equal marriage should be expelled from the party, while obviously she enjoys some allies in the membership and in caucus. For a Socialist party, the NDP should be in favour of equality, and equality rights trump religious rights.
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