Mr. Speaker, I was here when the vote took place last year and it was unfortunate that the government of the day had about three rows of ministers, parliamentary secretaries and secretaries of state who were whipped, so there were very few members who could vote freely. I do not know how the backbenchers voted but I have some good quotes from many members of the Liberal Party at that time and some of them are pretty telling of how they felt about the traditional definition of marriage.
Today's motion is about bringing the issue back, opening up the debate and then allowing a free vote. What I appreciate about our leader is that he has offered an open debate on the issue to this House and to the many people who are watching this debate tonight. The member for Mississauga South thinks that this motion is nothing but it is a big issue in my riding, and bigger than what he suggests.