O'Brien said he was personally told by six ministers that they may leave the cabinet rather than support SSM legislation, but this did not happen. Stephen Harper has pressured Paul Martin to allow his cabinet members a free vote, citing the precedent of Brian Mulroney in a capital punishment vote in 1988. Liberal backbench At the Liberal biennial convention in March, delegates overwhelmingly approved same-sex marriage as a matter of party policy. Paul Martin allowed his caucus a free vote. Conservatives At the Conservative convention, delegates overwhelmingly approved the definition of marriage as only being between one man and one woman as a matter of party policy with 74% in favour, and 26% opposed. Stephen Harper allowed his caucus a free vote. Bloc Québécois The BQ had a free vote. New Democratic Party The NDP caucus did not allow a free vote so MPs were obliged to vote in favour by the party whip. Independents Speaker The Speaker of the House of Commons votes only in the event of a tie. Milliken is a Liberal. Marriage support by seat Senate See Senators of the 38th Canadian Parliament and same-sex marriage See also Same-sex marriage in Canada Gay rights in Canada External links www.howdtheyvote.ca — has the complete voting history of the 38th Parliament, including Bill C-38. Same-sex marriage in Canada Canadian federal legislation