A religious leader from Canada visited the Twin Cities Monday to speak out against gay marriage.

The Archbishop of Ottawa spoke at the University of St. Thomas, where the Minnesota Catholic Conference is underway.

Archbishop Terrance Prendergast says he’s here because of Minnesota’s upcoming vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, and he’s encouraging citizens to vote yes in November.

Canada’s parliament legalized same sex marriage several years ago. Prendergast says since then, the people of Canada’s religious freedoms have been under attack.

Prendergast was among several guests from Canada who talked about what they say are consequences of legalizing gay marriage.

The archbishop says businesses have been fined for turning away same sex couples. He claims Catholic schools that are publicly funded have no choice but to allow students to be a part of gay and lesbian clubs, even though it’s something they don’t believe in.

He points out voters in Canada didn’t get a choice, but voters in Minnesota do.