PM GETS BUMPY RIDE AT PROJECT OPENING

A large contingent from the Occupy Vancouver movement picketed Prime
Minister Stephen Harper at a media event he was attending with Premier
Christy Clark on Friday to open Science World's $35-million
"Regeneration" upgrade project.

Demonstrators outside the event held up signs telling Harper to
legalize pot and provide more money for social programs.

"For me, I am here to stand up for aboriginal people," said protester
Jerilynn Webster, 28.

"They need to look after our children. I don't agree with this
government's priorities."

Pot activist Jodie Emery said Harper should pay heed to what citizens
on the West Coast are saying, particularly about marijuana
prohibition.

Emery referred to the call last week by former Vancouver mayors Mike
Harcourt, Philip Owen, Larry Campbell and Sam Sullivan for the
legalization and taxation of marijuana production, to which current
mayor Gregor Robertson confirmed his own commitment on Thursday.

"With Gregor Robertson also joining, it makes four former mayors and
one current one calling for change," she said. "The only ones
benefiting from [marijuana] prohibition are the police, politicians
and gangsters."

But Harper had a swift response to the calls for legalization. "No, it
will not happen," he said. "We are strongly opposed to the
legalization of drugs and very concerned about the threat of drugs to
our country."

The PM had earlier spoken on the less controversial subject of
inspiring young minds of the future with the upgrading of Science
World.

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