The head of a Fredericton Christian coalition is half-heartedly welcoming amendments to New Brunswick's Marriage Act that would protect civil servants who don't want to perform same-sex marriages, but a gay-rights activist says it sends the wrong message.

Karl Csaszar, head of the Fredericton chapter of the Canada Family Action Coalition, said Bill 37, introduced Friday by Tory MLA David Alward, is about individual rights, but he isn't confident the amendment will be the last word on the matter.

He called it a nice gesture, but he doubts it will survive a challenge under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"The Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not seem to apply equally to people of faith or people who say 'my conscience won't allow me to go down that road,'" Csaszar said. "It just seems the courts are not willing to listen to that particular argument, especially if it comes from people of faith."

Prominent gay-rights activist and retired United Church minister Eldon Hay also said the amendment wouldn't survive a Charter challenge.

The amendment is a symbolic protest against the advancement of gay rights and isn't in the best interest of the province, Hay said.

"If we want people to come to this province, [and] we desperately need new people to come, this legislation is not encouraging."