JOHN WESTON INTRODUCES DRUG BILL

Bill C-475 Targets Ecstasy And Crystal Meth

A private member's bill aimed at giving Canadian law enforcement the
necessary tools to deal with ecstasy and crystal meth passed its
first test in the House of Commons this past week thanks to MP for
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country John Weston.

Weston introduced Bill C-475 on November 2 in the House. The bill,
introduced previously in a slightly different form by MP for Peace
River Chris Warkentin, originally attracted unanimous support in the
House and broad acclaim from law enforcement officers, educators,
parents and others across Canada. The bill got to second reading in
the Senate before it was stalled when the last election was called.

The bill creates a new offence for the procurement of ingredients
with the intent to manufacture either of the highly addictive drugs.

Weston said when the attorney general asked him to introduce the bill
last week he leapt at the opportunity. "We're standing up for
kids-kids who are getting into trouble with drugs," he said. "This
bill is important, but especially important to parents, of which I am
one. Every parent has to consider how you can prevent your kids from
getting hooked on drugs. No family, no matter what their income
level, is immune. We hear about all kinds of families in my riding
and ridings across Canada being victimized because of this."

Weston said he has met with the three opposition justice critics and
they have indicated they are in favour of the bill.

"Chris [Warkentin] got it up to second reading in the Senate after
unanimous consent in the House. I'm fully confident I will get
unanimous consent in the House again," added Weston. "Given its
intent, which is to protect youth, and the good rapport I have with
these three MPs, it has a good chance of getting multi-party support."

Weston said he expects debate on the bill in the next three months,
then the bill will be turned over to the Justice and Human Rights
Committee, followed by second reading in the House and ultimately to
the Senate. He added he hopes to expedite the process given the
indicated support of the bill by opposition MPs.