LIBERAL DELEGATES SUPPORT DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA BUT VOTE DOWN
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

OTTAWA - Liberal delegates at a weekend convention voted against
legalizing same-sex marriage but supported decriminalizing marijuana
in a policy debate that could form the backbone of the party's
election platform.

The resolution on same-sex marriage was defeated by a vote of 468 to
365 on the final day of the party's biennial convention Sunday. An
attached motion to broaden the definition of common-law spouse to gay
couples in federal legislation, however, passed handily.

Another resolution to include sexual orientation in hate crimes
legislation was also approved.

The government already has legislation before the Commons to extend
benefits to same-sex couples. But cabinet and a majority of MPs are
reluctant to delve into the politically charged realm of same-sex marriage.

"For us and for this government, marriage is a unique institution,"
said Justice Minister Anne McLellan.

"It is one man and one woman to the exclusion of all
others.

"We also (want to ensure) that unmarried relationships, be they
same-sex or opposite sex, are treated fairly and treated the same.

Defence Minister Art Eggleton, and MPs Andy Scott, Jacques Saada, and
Joe Fontana voted against the marriage resolution. Others abstained or
quickly exited the convention hall.

The motion was widely supported by the Liberal youth wing, which often
acts as the left-wing conscience of the party.

Queen's University student Jascha Jabes urged delegates to be a party
of social change by recognizing the right of gay couples to legally
marry.

"There is a time and place for government to step out of the way and
allow for the only prerequisite for a successful marriage to be love,
not gender or sex, but love," Jabes told the gathering.

Linda Schultz of Calgary disagreed. "If we give all benefits to
anything, what is there to encourage the next generation to take on
that responsibility, that commitment, to live 25, 50 years of marriage?"

While legalizing gay marriage proved unpalatable to delegates,
decriminalizing possession of marijuana, so that it would no longer be
a Criminal Code offence, received a much easier ride.

A further resolution to legalize the drug entirely, so that selling it
would be acceptable, did not succeed.

A move by the New Brunswick Liberals to promote the elimination of the
GST from essential products, such as heating oil and clothing, failed
after debate on how best to help low-income Canadians.

"This tax relief will go to rich Canadians as well as poor Canadians,"
said Quebec delegate Simon Potter.

"It is not targeted at helping poor people . . . We should look
forward to an increased GST tax credit targeted at the poor."

A contentious resolution on improving grain transport succeeded, much
to the chagrin of Environment Minister David Anderson and others
pushing for more privatization in the industry.

"There go the B.C. seats," he said, throwing up his hands as the
policy carried.

The resolution reaffirms the Canadian Wheat Board's control over grain
transport. Some say the board is inefficient and costs business to
areas such as the Port of Vancouver.

"What are we going to do, continue to regulate an industry from a
government perspective, or are we going to make it more commercial,
allow the changes to occur as they should occur?" asked Albertan
farmer Brian Haddow.