OTTAWA, July 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Canada's same-sex marriage bill got passed in the Senate during a late-night vote Tuesday and could be signed into law as early as Wednesday.

    The bill, motioned by the ruling Liberals, was passed by 47-21 a couple of days ahead of schedule. Three of the 95 sitting senators abstained.

    The House of Commons passed Bill C-38 in late June, ending years of heated debate.

    Once the bill is signed into law, Canada will become the fourthcountry in the world to sanction same-sex marriage, following similar moves by Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium.

    But there is still strong opposition against the bill, with Conservative Leader Stephen Harper threatening to repeal it if he becomes prime minister.

    Religious groups, and even members of the government's own ranks, have also voiced their disagreement.

    However, a recent poll showed that 55 percent Canadians would like the bill to stay, with only 39 percent supporting Harper.

    Among Canada's 10 provinces and 2 regions, eight have turned ongreen light to same-sex marriage. The four "hold-out" jurisdictions are Alberta, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Enditem