[JURIST] Irwin Cotler [official profile], the outgoing Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, has said that despite some indications from Canada's incoming Conservative party government [JURIST report], he doubts that the country's recently enacted same-sex marriage law [JURIST report] would be repealed. Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper [official profile] has said that the government will allow a free vote in the House of Commons [CTV report] to determine whether MPs want to reopen debate on the issue, and if it is passed, Conservatives have promised to introduce legislation that would "restore the traditional definition of marriage" while respecting existing same-sex marriages. Cotler said that he expected MPs will not vote to revisit the issue. New Democratic Party MP Joe Comartin [CBC News profile],who voted for the bill when it was passed last summer, echoed Cotler's beliefs saying that the issue has been decided both by parliament and the courts. Opponents of same-sex marriage [JURIST report] said there might be more MPs willing to change their votes than currently believed. The Toronto Globe and Mail has more.