ALLIANCE MP FACES SUSPENSION FOR ACT

Grabbed Ceremonial Mace In Breach Of Decorum

OTTAWA (CP) -- Alliance MP Keith Martin could be suspended from the House
of Commons for grabbing a hallowed symbol of parliamentary authority -- the
ceremonial mace -- in what he admits was a premeditated breach of decorum.

Liberal House leader Ralph Goodale introduced a motion yesterday calling
for the Vancouver Island MP to be suspended until he apologizes at the bar
of the House for hoisting the mace above his head in angry frustration last
week. The motion will likely be voted on tomorrow.

Martin was upset that his private member's bill to decriminalize marijuana
was quashed by the Liberals through what he called a "poison pill" amendment.

The MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca apologized informally to the House
shortly after the incident last Wednesday. But during a two-hour debate
yesterday on the matter, Martin said he had no regrets for the breach,
which he said was a "coldly premeditated act of civil disobedience."

"I apologize Mr. Speaker, to you out of respect for you as an individual,
and out of respect for the office you hold," he said.

"However, I do not regret lifting that mace up to draw attention to the
rights of Canadians that have been violated." Martin described the four
years of work that went into his bill before it was defeated in what he
considered a dirty trick by the government.

Alliance Leader John Reynolds said the Liberal move to kill the bill was
the latest in a long line of undemocratic actions.