OTTAWA, December 19, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Yesterday, new Canadian Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin shook up the national political scene with promises to reform the Senate, to allow free votes in the House of Commons and to protect religions from being forced to perform homosexual ‘marriages’ by using the notwithstanding clause if necessary. On CBC radio Martin expressed a willingness to use the notwithstanding clause to protect churches. “I would look at it if it was a question of affirming a (religious) right,” he said. In a CTV interview Martin spoke of allowing open discussion on the homosexual marriage question. “There must be a national debate in Parliament where all sides of the debate will be heard,” said Martin. “Once that debate has taken place and all of the options have been looked at, we’ll act,” he said. He also stressed that there will be free votes on the issue. “Whatever options are in front (of us). There may be more than one option but it’s certainly going to be a free vote,” he said. In addition, new Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said the government plans to expand the reference questions before the Supreme Court to ask them about the constitutionality of options such as granting the same marriage rights to homosexual couples under the name of ‘civil unions’ rather than the word ‘marriages’. On Senate reform, Martin said, “There ought to be parliamentary review of these appointments ... which no other prime minister has ever been prepared to do, because I really do believe that what we’ve got to do is make this open and transparent so people have real confidence in the quality of the people who are being named to whatever post.” Speaking in an interview with Global National, he continued, “I’m in favour of Senate reform, but it’s going to take provincial agreement. I’m prepared to do it. Now let’s see if (the provinces) can come to an agreement.” See related coverage: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=84e020b3-2543-4cba-9f41-ccf137002b05 http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1071789010865&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467