OTTAWA - Liberal MP John McKay says it has been "awkward" to be in the pro-life minority in Parliament since he first came to Ottawa 15 years ago but he believes Canada's abortion debate will never be over.

McKay, one of four Grit MPs who voted in favour of a motion calling for a review of "when life begins" this week, is outraged over the suggestion debate should on stifled.

"It is going to be discussed, and it is going to keep coming up and it is failure of political will to actually deal with it," McKay told reporters outside the Commons Friday.

Although the Liberals circulated a petition against the motion put forward by backbench Tory MP Stephen Woodworth, interim leader Bob Rae allowed caucus members to vote freely.

"I don't like to go against my colleagues or the platform of the Liberal party. It is not a lot of fun but Mr. Rae had the wisdom to say these are matters of conscience and views," McKay said. "I think I actually have an informed view. I think my opinion should count for something and I am sick and tired of people refusing to discuss what is a foundational issue in this country."

Woodworth's motion was also endorsed by eight of the government's cabinet ministers, including Status of Women Minister Rona Ambrose, and two parliamentary secretaries. It was ultimately defeated 203-91 on Wednesday evening. Prime Minister Stephen Harper voted against the proposal and says the government doesn't want to discuss the abortion debate.

Prior to the vote, New Democrats suggested Woodworth's motion should never have made it as far as it did. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair also says Harper broke a 2011 election promise to leave abortion discussions closed.

The Supreme Court ruled in 1988 the criminalization of abortion in Canada was a violation of a woman's right to security of the person, outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In its decision, the top court suggested Parliament should look at drafting new rules but abortion legislation was never passed, despite attempts by Brian Mulroney's Conservative government.