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Canada: Martin Spurns Warning About Pot Legislation.
By admin | November 12, 2004
by Sean Gordon, CanWest News Service
Edmonton Journal
Nov 11 2004.
Prime Minister Paul Martin is brushing aside warnings from United States Ambassador Paul Cellucci that a border crackdown will result if Canada decriminalizes marijuana, saying that Canada reserves the right to pass laws as it sees fit.
Asked what he made of Cellucci’s prediction that relaxed marijuana laws in Canada will worsen the perennial congestion at border crossings with the U.S., Martin was unequivocal.
“Firstly, the legislation is before the House of Commons, then the parliamentary committee will have its discussions on all the various points, and we’ll wait to see the legislation that comes from that. But Canada will make its own laws, pure and simple.”
Business groups have raised the alarm over the possible tie-ups resulting from more liberal marijuana laws in Canada, saying that even the current border morass costs Canadian businesses billions of dollars annually. It’s estimated that $1.2 billion in goods and services travel across the border each day, making it the world’s most lucrative bi-lateral trading relationship.
Police across Canada have major concerns, says the head of the Canadian Professional Police Association.
“It’s putting the cart before the horse,” said president Tony Cannavino, representing 54,000 officers and members.
“The government should have started first of all with a national drug strategy instead of going forward with a bill decriminalizing marijuana,” he said. “It’s sending the wrong message to kids.”
Police have big problems with a bill that would fine adults $150 and minors $100 for possessing up to 15 grams, Cannavino added. “That represents between 30 and 50 joints of marijuana.”
And the opposition Conservatives, who insist the draft legislation is deeply flawed, renewed calls to shelve the pot bill until trade disputes with the Bush administration over beef and softwood lumber exports are ironed out.
“Why are we bringing it forward at a time when we have so many trade disputes with the United States?” asked Tory justice critic Vic Toews. “I want assurances from the Americans that they’re comfortable with ( Canada’s position ). We have not got that. They’re telling us it’s going to impact on our trade, and if it’s going to impact on our trade, let’s bury this bill.”
A similar proposal to ease marijuana laws died on the order paper when Parliament wrapped up prior to last summer’s federal election.
Cellucci told the National Post’s editorial board on Tuesday he was perplexed by the timing of the new pot bill.
“Why, when we’re trying to take pressure off the border, would Canada pass a law that would put pressure on the border? If people think it’s easier to get marijuana in Canada, then our people at the border are going to be on the lookout, and I think they will stop more vehicles, particularly vehicles driven by young people, whether they’re citizens of Canada or the United States.”
Martin, meanwhile, emerged from a two-hour meeting with Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams and Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm without a deal on offshore oil revenues, but with each leader expressing cautious optimism that negotiations are back on track.
The first ministers have now handed over the task of ironing out the details of an offshore oil and gas revenue agreement to their finance ministers, who they say will get to work starting Friday and continue until all sides are happy with the final product.
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