Parliament refuses to reopen gay marriage

OTTAWA, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The Canadian Parliament Thursday rejected a move to reopen the question of same-sex marriage.

The motion failed 175-123, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Both the Conservative and Liberal parties allowed their parliamentary representatives to vote their consciences on the issue. Twelve Conservatives, including six members of the cabinet, crossed party lines to oppose the motion while 13 Liberals supported it.

"It was simply a matter that I felt had received fair discussion and airing in the House of Commons and other venues, and I feel there are other pressing matters before the Canadian people and certainly before this chamber right now," Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter MacKay said after the vote.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he had kept his promise to have a free vote on the issue and saw no reason to bring up same-sex marriage again.

Charles McVety, head of the Canada Family Action Group, said his group and other opponents of gay marriage would not give up the fight.