LIBERALS SHOW CONTEMPT BY DERAILING MARIJUANA BILL

Re: Mace-grabbing MP calls Liberals 'fascist,' April 23.

It is with the gravest concern that I must protest the travesty that
occurred in the House of Commons last week.

I am not referring to Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin's touching the
mace, but the greater affront to democracy that occurred when Liberal
backbencher John Maloney proposed an amendment that effectively killed Mr.
Martin's private member's bill on the decriminalization of marijuana.

Mr. Martin's motion read: "That Bill C-344, An Act to amend the
Contraventions and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (marihuana), be now
read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and
Human Rights."

The amended motion read: "That Bill C-344, an Act to amend the
Contraventions Act and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (marihuana), be
not now read a second time, that the order for second reading be
discharged, the bill withdrawn from the order paper and the subject matter
be referred to the special committee on non-medical use of drugs."

This amendment reveals a callous disregard for the principles of democracy
and enlightened debate. The fact that party members are forced to vote
along party lines or face disciplinary measures means that we have a
benevolent dictatorship in the Liberal party.

The subject matter of Bill C-344 has no impact on me or my family, except
to the extent that its passage would have benefited all Canadians by saving
taxpayers a significant amount of money, and allowing Canadian
law-enforcement agencies to cope with other more significant issues.

It is claimed that the majority of the House favoured Mr. Martin's bill,
and that it was also supported by 70 per cent of the Canadian public.

The machinations of the clever Mr. Maloney amount to nothing but sophistry
and a cynical disregard for democracy, and show contempt for the Canadian
people.

Gregg Perry, Duncan, B.C.