Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has no plans to introduce legislation to protect officials and churches that refuse to deal with homosexuals.

Harper dismissed reports Wednesday that his Conservative government is considering a defence of religions act.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds during Question Period in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

The Globe and Mail newspaper reported that the proposed law would protect public officials who refuse to perform same-sex marriages and church groups that refuse to rent halls to gay couples.

The news came under immediate fire, even from some Tories.

Conservative MP Garth Turner said such a law could be the "slippery slope" toward protecting bigotry and intolerance.

Tory Art Hanger said Charter protections of religious freedom are "cast in stone," so another law may be unnecessary.

Liberal MPs attacked the idea as a gimmick that appeals to the religious right wing of the Conservative base.