MANN IRKED BY 'BORN AGAIN COKE FIENDS'

Candidates Take 5: Michael Mann, Marijuana Party

1. Health - Do you support privatization in health care?

Absolutely not. Health care needs a huge injection of money. To
maintain our level of care, money could come from taxes from legal
marijuana sales. All reports, basically, have said the same thing - to
regulate and tax marijuana.

2. Military - What should Canada's military role be over the next five
years?

Peace keeping is the traditional role and we need to continue in that
area. We definitely don't need to follow that born again coke fiend in
Washington. Strengthening our borders and security, it needs an influx
of cash to stop the antique traveling road show.

3. Western Alienation - How do you engage Ottawa in issues facing the
west coast?

If I go to Ottawa, it puts the average West Coast issue on the world
stage. Every time I speak, as a Marijuana Party member it would be
picked up by the world media. Everyone would be able to pronounce
"Ucluelet" and "Tofino". More attention would be paid because of our
controversial party stances.

4. Free Votes - Is offering free votes on controversial issues a way
of getting out of making party policy decisions?

Yes, I think that's true. A free vote gives a constituent the true
colours of the people representing them. It raises some discussion,
rather than following arbitrary party policy.

5. Local Issues - What's an issue specific to this area that you would
raise in the House of Commons?

I would have to say, firstly, the export of raw materials out of the
Alberni Valley. We need to keep resources here to create jobs. Many
social ills can be traced back to poverty and that's an issue. To end
it, we need people working, in long-term, secure jobs with a future.