Paul Martin said Tuesday while he supports the federal government's proposed legislation on same-sex marriages, he is willing to listen to "other options."

One of those may be dropping the word "marriage" from the proposed legislation and instead refer to "civil unions." Mr. Martin said he was willing to explore that revision if the change means Canadian rights are still protected under the Charter.

"Other options may well be put on the table. I think that those other options will be examined very seriously."

Speaking from a Liberal caucus meeting in North Bay, Ont., the leading candidate for the prime minister's job said he won't ask his backers to automatically support Jean Chrétien's same-sex marriage legislation, saying that MPs have the right to their own opinions.