The federal Conservative party confirmed Wednesday it will be launching an advertising campaign against gay marriage that will make an appeal to ethnic groups.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says the party needs to send a clear message against the proposed change to the legal definition of marriage.

"Frankly, we think a clear majority of Canadians support the compromise I put forward, including a lot of people who vote Liberal and traditionally don't vote for this party," said Harper, following a speech to the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper in Quebec City.(CP photo)
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper in Quebec City.(CP photo)

Harper has said he believes the traditional definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman should be preserved and that homosexual couples should have civil unions with the same rights as married people.

One of the ads says, "Paul Martin wants to impose same-sex marriage. Stephen Harper believes in traditional marriage. We'd like to know where you stand."

They will appear in a number of ridings the Conservatives don't currently hold, along with print ads in a number of foreign-language weeklies across the country, said Harper spokesperson Geoff Norquay.

New legislation expected

In December, the Supreme Court ruled Ottawa has the jurisdiction to decide who has the right to marry.

Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal government is expected to introduce legislation that would change the definition to a union of two persons after Parliament resumes on Jan. 31.

The Conservative leader has said he would introduce amendments to the government's same-sex marriage legislation if it doesn't conform to his party's vision.

Harper said he will allow Conservative MPs to vote according to their consciences. His spokesperson told CBC News Online Wednesday that the launch of the ad campaign doesn't change that.

It's Harper's fifth visit to Quebec since the federal election last June. The Tories didn't win any seats in the province.