The new Canadian prime minister has reassured churches that they will not be forced to conduct same-sex marriages if his government does make them legal.
Speaking in an interview with a radio station, Paul Martin said his cabinet would follow the former Prime Minister Jean Chretien's plans to push same-sex marriage through legislation, but would stop short of involving churches.
Chretien was a keen supporter of gay marriage and had given proposals to the country's Supreme Court to discuss. He had hoped that the court would give legal credibility to the proposals before they were debated in Parliament.
However, opponents thought that compelling churches to conduct ceremonies would be a stumbling block in the legislation, which is still being considered by the court and will be debated next year.
Meanwhile, some activists feared that the change in prime minister could spell the end to the legislation.
Martin had already said the issue may not be a major priority to the new administration in 2004, and there were rumors this week that he would push back the issue until the proposed spring elections.
It is thought that the issue, which is splitting Canadian citizens right down the middle, could hurt him in the polls, when he faces the public for the first time.
He replaced Chretien, who had served the maximum term under the Liberal Party.