Alberta Premier Ralph Klein says he wants to see a national referendum on same sex marriage.

The premier told CTV's Calgary affiliate CFCN he's "thoroughly disappointed" that the Supreme Court has given Ottawa the OK to redefine marriage. Klein said most Albertans oppose gays and lesbians marrying.

"In this province, my feeling is the majority -- and I don't know what the percentage of the majority is -- but the majority of people are opposed to same-sex marriage. And I represent the people of this province,'' he said Friday.

He urged those opposed to the idea of extending the traditional definition beyond one man and one woman to write letters to press the federal government to hold a national referendum on the issue.

"There is very little legally we can do about it, but there is a lot politically."

Klein's remarks came as a team of gays and lesbians began preparing a legal challenge to Alberta's Marriage Act.

"The essence of the challenge is going to be discrimination based on sexual orientation,'' said Murray Billet of the group Canadians for Equal Marriage in Edmonton.

"They suggest marriage continues to be between a man and a woman, when the Supreme Court and other jurisdictions have stated very clearly otherwise.''

Justice Minister grilled on issue

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler faced repeated questions in the House of Commons Friday on what would happen to public officials who refuse to perform same-sex weddings in Canada.

"How does the prime minister now intend to statutorily protect not only religious organizations but also public officials with moral concerns about same sex marriages?" Manitoba Conservative MP Vic Toews asked the minister.

Cotler did not answer the question. Instead, he offered only an answer about religious officials, saying the high court decision "will protect because (them), under the Charter" because "religious freedom is absolutely protected."

New Brunswick Conservative Rob Moore continued the Opposition attack. Moore said that "across the country, marriage commissioners are being told to resign if they cannot perform ceremonies that conflict with their religious beliefs."

Cotler did not confirm Moore's statement. Nor did he respond directly to the question, referring again to the court giving freedom of choice on the marriage matter to religious organizations.

Cabinet must support bill

Earlier on Friday, Cotler told Canada AM he will introduce a new same sex marriage law next month.

While backbench Liberals MPs will be free to vote on the issue as they choose, cabinet ministers must support the bill. Cotler said the reason for this is to make sure the government is seen to speak with one voice.

"The legislation was not introduced by the prime minister or by myself," he told Canada AM.

"The legislation was introduced in the name of the government. And therefore all the ministers of the government effectively -- collectively -- introduced this legislation."

When asked what he thought might happen to any cabinet minister who disobeys and votes against the bill, Cotler refused to speculate. But he did say, "I would expect all our ministers will act responsibly."

Northern Development Minister Joe Comuzzi signaled Thursday he might break ranks. He said he can't break an election promise he made to constituents to fight same-sex marriage.