CATCHING THE SPIRIT WITH WESTON

Editor:

Bill Forst appears to endorse my private member's bill, for which I'm
grateful, but regrettably, he misconstrues the effect of proroguing
("Prorogue: not a simple recess," Coast Reporter letters, Jan. 22).

As Mr. Forst says, Bill C-475 tackles crystal meth and ecstasy drugs
and has attracted nationwide support from a vast array of people,
including police and drug treatment experts, the West Vancouver
Police Department, national and provincial law enforcement officers,
teachers and educators from across the riding, and numerous municipal
councillors, mayors and regional district leaders.

I am honoured to announce that the B.C. Asso-ciation of Chiefs
recently passed a motion in support of this bill. The other federal
parties appeared to also support the bill, by their initial comments,
when I introduced the bill in the House last November.

Furthermore, contrary to what Mr. Forst wrote, private member bills
are not dead. They will continue unchanged into the next session of
the House.

Through the Olympic and Paralympic Games, my team and I are working hard
with constituents to leverage the five benefits readers have emphasized --
one benefit for each of the Olympic Rings: business, investment, tourism,
foreign students studying in Canada, and personal health and fitness.

The Jan. 12 town hall at Park Royal in West Van-couver, which
attracted numerous people from the Sunshine Coast, is one example of
our work. The forum allowed panelists to "Catch the Spirit" with us.

John Weston, MP, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country