Shocker of the day

Hands up anyone who didn't see this coming:

Ottawa can't ensure religious protection in all same-sex fights: Cotler

Liberals will tweak their contentious same-sex marriage bill but can't guarantee ironclad religious protections, admits Justice Minister Irwin Cotler.

Churches won't be forced to perform gay weddings, he says. But it's beyond his legal reach to protect provincial marriage commissioners or religious organizations who turn away same-sex couples, he conceded Wednesday.