CONSERVATIVES TAKE AIM AT CITY'S CRACK PIPE PROGRAM

Baird, Poilievre Kick Off Campaigns For Federal Seats

A rally of Ottawa Conservative party boosters managed to attract two
political heavyweights and send City Hall a clear message about its crack
pipe program last night.

More than 200 residents attended the latest meeting of the People's Voice,
a community association headed by Terry Kilrea, to hear MP Pierre Poilievre
and former provincial cabinet minister John Baird, who is taking aim at a
federal seat in Ottawa West-Nepean.

The pair used the night to kick off their election campaigns and blast the
minority Liberal government, even though no election has been called.

Mr. Kilrea also used the occasion to announce his intentions to run for
mayor in the next municipal election. He said he will officially kick off
his campaign in January.

Mr. Poilievre said: "If you are not with the Conservatives, you are with
the adscammers. It's time to end the rule of the caviar-eating,
limousine-riding Liberals."

The night was also used to collect public feedback about two city
initiatives, the crack pipe program and a proposed francophone centre for
Ottawa's western half. More than 190 people voted against the initiatives
in a vote that was held during the rally.

The negative feedback about the programs will be back to City Hall by
Councillor Rick Chiarelli, who stands staunchly against the crack pipe program.

"I wanted to get the message out that people can still have a voice in this
debate," Mr. Chiarelli said, adding that discussion about the program will
be re-opened at city council tomorrow.

"I hope that council members pay attention to these people."

Mr. Chiarelli has been against the program since it was introduced late
last year. He said he has supported many of the initiatives that Robert
Cushman, Ottawa's chief medical officer, has proposed. But he said the
crack pipe issue, which is suppose to help cut the spread of diseases, is a
lame duck.

"Dr. Cushman has done a lot of good things," Mr. Chiarelli said. "But he
doesn't hit a home run every time. This is one of those times."

However, while he had no strong feelings about the crack pipe program,
34-year-old resident Marc Robichard said he worried the People's Voice
referendum may go too far to derail a worthwhile initiative such as the
proposed francophone centre.

Mr. Robichard said last night's vote, which they called a referendum, was
conducted by a collection of people with a clear agenda. He said it was not
a group of community members, discussing and debating the issue.

"Look, there are 21,000 francophones in western Ottawa," said Mr.
Robichard. "This would be a great asset to our community."

Mr. Kilrea fired back at those who would question the validity of his
group's referendum last night.

"I don't see others organizing this," he said. "Dr. Cushman and others at
the city just dictate how it's going to be