I think the reason why religion doesn't play as big a part in Canada is because, like others have mentioned, we don't have Bible Belt here, per se. There are plenty of religious folk also, probably equal to or a little less than the US Eastern seaboard area, but they don't gather in one area, in large enough numbers, to sway politics.
And politicians are going to have convictions, like it or not, and they'll take actions based on those, whether it is their own or those of a certain religion. It's exactly *which* convictions you can live with that should be the deciding factor on who you should vote for. Not because one sticks one label in front or behind their name, whether that label is christian, muslim, or atheist/agnostic. You can have a christian who is pro choice and an agnostic who is anti gay marriage, or a muslim who is in favor of eating yummy bacon.
I'd vote for the guy who aligns the closest to my personal beliefs and values. (Especially the latter.)
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