Editorial Comment: With two-thirds of Canadians in favour of maintaining marriage as an institution reserved for the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, it is indeed strange to see Canada's major political party on the verge of self destruction over this issue. It should a natural position for any political party to be champions of sound and stable natural families rather than the promotion of unnatural unions lacking the requisite biological compatibility for enduring contributions to life itself and society as a whole. Nature does not support homosexual behaviour which is sterile, involves a violation of the anatomy of the human body, and produces serious health consequences.

Perhaps the time has come for all people of good will to draw the line on wasteful and useless social experimentation forced upon the nation by radial unrepresentative minorities possessing influence far beyond their numbers.

CCIC Inc.

OTTAWA (CP) - An outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage quit the federal Liberals to sit as an Independent MP Monday, providing sudden leverage to MPs within government ranks who oppose the controversial legislation.

Liberal MP Pat O'Brien announces at a news conference that he is quitting the Liberal party to sit as an independent. (CP)

Pat O'Brien hinted he may be prepared to topple Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority over the issue, and before the day was over another Liberal claimed "two or three" of his colleagues could follow suit.

The Liberals squeaked through a budget vote last month by a historically narrow margin - the single, tie-breaking vote of the Speaker the only thing between Canadians and a federal election.

Since then, the Liberals gained another seat in a by-election and talk of a spring or summer election evaporated. O'Brien's move puts the minority back in peril. The veteran MP from London, Ont., told a news conference he'll employ "every opportunity I have to use - bar none - in order to defeat this legislation."

While the same-sex marriage bill is not considered a matter of confidence that could bring down the government, O'Brien said his tactics could include voting against the Liberals on next week's critical budget legislation.

"That's not my goal in life, to defeat this government," said O'Brien. "My goal is to defeat Bill C-38. But I won't rule out any democratic means to do that."

Jim Karygiannis, another Liberal opposed to gay marriage, later said he's spoken to two or three colleagues who are also considering using the budget confidence vote to kill the marriage legislation - and the government. "Some of them are very serious," said Karygiannis, adding he's begged them not employ such a scorched-earth tactic.

And another Liberal opponent of the bill, John McKay, didn't rule out more MPs quitting to sit as Independents. "There may be. You're going to have to make 34 phone calls to find out," said McKay.

Thirty-four Liberals voted against Bill C-38 earlier this spring, but the combined weight of the Bloc Quebecois, NDP and a majority of Liberals easily kept it alive. Only the Conservatives are almost uniformly opposed.

O'Brien had threatened to quit the Liberals six weeks ago, but was convinced to stay on when Martin promised him the same-sex bill would get "full, fair and meaningful hearings." O'Brien said that prime ministerial pledge is not being honoured: "The truth is not what you say, the truth is what you do."

Martin said last week he wants final passage of the legislation before the Commons recesses for the summer later this month. A committee vote to ensure that timetable prompted O'Brien's resignation.

The prime minister responded Monday by noting the commons committee was to hear some 60 witnesses in total. "This is an issue that has to be dealt with thoroughly and there has to be a full debate - as there has been, in fact, over the last couple of years," said Martin.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said that given O'Brien's fundamental opposition to the bill, nothing the committee could do would satisfy him.

And if the Liberals are concerned about their minority survival, they weren't showing it Monday. House leader Tony Valeri almost dared O'Brien to vote against the government. "I don't see any difference between what he is able to do as an Independent on C-38 and what he has been able to do as a caucus member," said Valeri.

Senior Liberals privately questioned Karygiannis' story that Liberal dissidents might also vote against the budget. And even Conservatives, who last month appeared determined to bring a non-confidence motion and trigger an election, reacted with skepticism and caution.

B.C. MP Randy White said there's "zero chance" of an election campaign starting this month. His Conservative colleague Gary Lunn was less emphatic, given the shifting allegiances of what are now four Independent MPs in a deadlocked Commons. "There are some different dynamics at play, for sure," said Lunn. "We've got to make sure (the government) doesn't fall by accident."

Source: Canadian Press