Chretien is spared court appearance over February scuffle with protester

Kenneth Russell, who said his profession is ``fighting government,'' had Chretien charged with assault over the February incident when Chretien grabbed a protester by the neck.

Russell, of New Brunswick, used an obscure section of the Criminal Code that allows a person other than a victim to ask the court to lay a charge.

He told Judge Pierre Chevalier of Quebec Court that Chretien, ``in my opinion, broke the law.'' Chevalier ruled that Chretien should face the charge in court on June 6.

But within two hours, Quebec Justice Minister Paul Begin used another legal option to stay proceedings against Chretien, saying the victim, Bill Clennett, didn't want to proceed with a charge. Clennett was compensated for dental work from injuries when Mounties wrestled him to the ground.

Chretien joked about the run-in at last week's Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner.

``When the guy Bill Clennett jumped in front of me I thought he was John Nunziata, so I took him out,'' Chretien said, referring to the politician he recently expelled from the Liberal Party for opposing a government tax.
Gay rights bill approved

Canada's Parliament approved a bill endorsing gay rights after two weeks of debate.

The 153-76 vote in the Commons enacts a long-standing promise by several governments to outlaw discrimination against homosexuals.

Twenty-nine members of the governing Liberal Party opposed the bill, saying it will lead to benefits for gay couples, promote an unhealthy lifestyle and allow legalized pedophilia.

The bill amends the Canadian Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation along with age, sex, race, religion and disability as prohibited grounds for discrimination.
From the west

Hours after promising personal income tax cuts, Premier Glen Clark called a provincial election for May 28 in British Columbia. Voters have a choice ``between protecting Medicare and education with tax relief for the middle class, or cutting health care and education to pay for tax breaks for large corporations,'' the New Democratic premier said.

Calgary socialite Dorothy Joudrie, 61, was found ``not criminally responsible'' because of her mental condition for shooting her estranged husband, business executive, Earl, 62, six times and seriously injuring him. She was ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment and treatment, if needed.

In brief