FORUM UNBALANCED

Editor, The Star:

Last week, Newlands played host to Langley MP Mark Warawa's Town Hall
Forum on Bill C-17 (Decriminalisation of marijuana) and getting rid of
grow-ops in Langley.

While this is an important issue that affects all of Langley, Mark
Warawa failed to provide a balanced view and instead put together a
panel of people staunchly opposed to the Bill.

Every single member of the panel spoke about marijuana being the root
cause of so many problems in Langley, without addressing more
dangerous substances such as alcohol and tobacco, both which are legal.

Mr. Warawa had an obligation to provide both sides of the issue on his
panel if he truly wanted to hear the input of Langley residents.
Instead he invited only people against the Bill and uninvited Mark
Emery, Leader of the BC Marijuana Party, so the panel would reflect
his views. This proves that Mr. Warawa has no real intent to listen to
his constituents, but would rather impose his beliefs on Langley. This
is the same thing he did for same-sex marriage and the people of
Langley will see through it.

Dan Turner, Vice President

Young Liberals of Canada in B.C.