GRITS DUCK POT ISSUE

LIBERALS sidestepped a convention showdown on legalizing marijuana
yesterday, opting instead to endorse gay marriage and push toward the
legalization of prostitution. Grits gathered in Ottawa to debate policy
meant to set the tone for the next federal election kept their raucous
debate over stiffer sentences for marijuana grow operators and legalizing
pot to a workshop.

About 600 Liberals supported both marijuana resolutions, but when forced to
pick a favourite, they opted to push the federal government to review the
Criminal Code section which makes prostitution illegal, a choice
overwhelmingly backed by the 2,000 Grits at the convention.

"It is the responsibility of the state and the Liberal government to
protect their citizens," said Kristopher Ade, the young Manitoba Liberal
who spearheaded the move to legalize prostitution.

Hookers Pitied

"We have ignored (sex workers') plight far too long."

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler applauded the move to shift the focus to the
plight of prostitutes and away from pot.

Cotler said he supports doing more to help improve the quality of life for
prostitutes, and has tasked a Commons committee to review the legislation
that makes prostitution illegal. "The sex trade workers will tell you that
the nature of the present legal framework renders them more vulnerable,"
Cotler said.

"And one of the objectives that I have as a minister of justice is to
protect the most vulnerable among us, and that includes sex trade workers."

But Cotler fell short of backing red light districts, which critics say
will be the natural result of legalizing the oldest trade in the world.

Grits also voted in favour of a resolution to support same-sex marriage,
backing the Liberal government's legislation that will do the same.

Immigration Minister Joe Volpe refused to say whether he was in favour of
same-sex marriage after a religious organization took out full page ads
accusing him of flip-flopping on the issue after winning last year's election.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has ordered his entire cabinet to vote in favour
of the civil marriage legislation.

Volpe said he will support the bill because it protects the rights of
religious institutions to decide against marrying gays and lesbians.