Iqaluit (July 07/03) - Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell will poll residents of the territory on same-sex marriage before she votes on the issue this fall.

"I'll speak to as many people as I can because I'll have to have my mind made up soon," she said.

Karetak-Lindell said it's an especially difficult issue for the people in her riding.

"We understand what it feels like trying to fit into a mold that doesn't work for us. But because it goes against the grain of our religious upbringing, it's very hard."

In the end, Karetak-Lindell said feelings on the issue are personal, and it doesn't matter what the courts or the laws say.

"We all have to come to terms with what it means to us on a personal level and make that decision ourselves," she said.

The Justice Committee report on same-sex marriage will be tabled within the next two months and parliament is expected to vote on the issue this fall.