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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Canada: We'll make pot laws, PM tells Cellucci
Sean Gordon National Post, Canada
Thursday 11 Nov 2004 Border congestion fears OTTAWA - Prime Minister Paul Martin yesterday brushed aside warnings from U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci that a border crackdown will result if Canada decriminalizes marijuana, saying this country reserves the right to pass laws as it sees fit. Asked his opinion of Mr. Cellucci's prediction that relaxed marijuana laws in Canada will worsen congestion at border crossings with the United States, Mr. 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," he said. "But Canada will make its own laws, pure and simple." Business groups have raised concerns over 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 is estimated that $1.2-billion in goods and services travel across the border each day, making it the world's most lucrative bilateral trading relationship. Opposition Conservatives, who insist the draft legislation is deeply flawed, yesterday renewed calls to shelve the pot bill until trade disputes with the Bush administration over beef and softwood lumber exports are resolved. "Why are we bringing it forward at a time when we have so many trade disputes with the United States? ... 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," said justice critic Vic Toews. The draft legislation calls for fines of $150 for adults -- and $100 for minors -- who are caught in possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana. The bill also proposes tougher sentences for those who produce the drug. On Tuesday, Mr. Cellucci told the National Post's editorial board 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?" he said. "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." A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan said U.S. officials have told the federal government they remain committed to easing border congestion. Meanwhile, a recent COMPAS, Inc. survey of Toronto-area residents conducted for the National Post suggests two-thirds of respondents think legalizing marijuana would hurt Canada-U.S. relations. Sixty-five per cent of the 500 people called between Oct. 22 and Nov. 1 said they thought relations between the nations would worsen, 9% said they would improve. Asked to respond to Police Chief Julian Fantino's recent remark likening the decriminalization of marijuana to legalizing murder, Toronto residents were evenly split: 33% said he should never have said it, 27% said he was right and a further 27% said he was wrong but that he could be forgiven. The poll is accurate to within 4.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
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