James Moore

And so the federal policy had to align.

Martin Cauchon was then the justice minister, brought out a white paper talking about the options for the future of marriage.

So the issue of same-sex marriage was stirred up.

And right about that time, the conservative parties came together.

Canadian Alliance for Progressive Conservatives created the new conservative party and a leadership race was upon us.

And social conservatives were very exercised and said, who's our candidate?

And Stephen Harper said, I believe in the traditional definition of marriage.

Linda Stronach, his opponent, said she believed in same-sex marriage.

So that was the choice.

Stephen Harper won the leadership.

He didn't win the leadership only on that issue, but that was a dominant issue.

Fast forward, he becomes prime minister then in 2006.

The issue is still lingering on the horizon for social conservatives.

Other issues came up, sponsorship, overall issues and all that.

2004 comes and goes.

2006 comes and goes.

Stephen Harper runs, becomes prime minister, wins a minority.

Social conservatives want their receipts now.

They want to see some action on an issue that they care about.

What are you going to do on this?