VICTORIA, B.C. -- A new internal Conservative Party national poll shows 42% of Canadians support Stephen Harper's position on preserving the traditional definition of marriage while allowing civil unions for gay couples, Sun Media has learned.
The poll also shows that 35% of Canadians back Prime Minister Paul Martin's position that the definition of marriage should include same-sex couples.
The survey of 1,500 randomly-chosen Canadians was conducted by David Crapper, formerly of Decima Research and Praxis, the polling firms for the former Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the Canadian Alliance respectively.
The figures were presented to MPs during the wrap-up session of a three-day caucus in Victoria yesterday, but was not made public.
Harper didn't want to discuss numbers, but Sun sources said the national numbers also reflect provincial trends with the exception of B.C., where most of those polled supported same-sex marriage.
Sun sources also confirmed 57% of those polled in Ontario sided with preserving the traditional definition of marriage compared to 38% who believe same-sex couples should be included.
Of those surveyed in Toronto, 58% backed Harper's position while 34% support the Liberals' stand.
"What's clear from our data ... is that most Canadians want to see some middle ground on this issue. That's why I propose we recognize the traditional definition of marriage but also make accommodation and respect the equality and benefits of those in other relationships," Harper said.
"What we're trying to do here is do the right thing and I think the right thing is to find a position that respects tradition and rights at the same time and is one that most Canadians could live with."
A war of words has been raging all week between Harper and the PM over the issue. Martin has repeatedly accused the Conservative leader of wanting to invoke the notwithstanding clause in order to block same-sex marriage legislation.
Harper denies that he would take the extreme measure.
The poll also found the Liberals at 31% support nationally, with the Conservatives at 28%, the NDP with 18% and the Green Party at 4%.
