MP WHO HANDLED MACE READMITTED TO HOUSE

OTTAWA - Keith Martin, the Canadian Alliance MP, was readmitted to the
House of Commons yesterday after apologizing for brandishing the ceremonial
Mace in protest last week.

The B.C. doctor was censured on Tuesday after nearly a week of
hand-wringing by MPs for "the mess of the Mace," which occurred after the
Liberals effectively blocked his private-member's bill to decriminalize
possession of small quantities of marijuana and deal with some of the other
societal problems related to illegal drugs.

While refusing to call it a piece of political theatre, Mr. Martin admitted
the act last Wednesday was planned and was meant to draw attention to what
he called "the illusion of democracy" in federal politics.

Yesterday, Mr. Martin was asked to atone for his actions. In the moments
following Question Period, Commons Speaker Peter Milliken called Mr. Martin
to the bar of the House and offered him a chance to apologize.

Reading from a pre-approved script, Mr. Martin said: "Mr. Speaker, it is
with regret that I find myself standing here before the House at the bar,
but it is understandable that I find myself here. It was wrong for me to
take the Mace, the symbol of the dignity and the authority of the House
into my hands as a gesture of protest. I have reflected on my actions and
have had the benefit of hearing my colleagues speak eloquently about this
place and about the respect that must be accorded to it."

After brief applause, Mr. Milliken accepted Mr. Martin's apology and
invited "the Hon. Member for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca to resume his seat."