BILLS WILL DIE IF VOTE CALLED

Whistleblower, Pot Laws Won't Move Forward

OTTAWA - The Martin Liberals are leaving a few legislative apples to
rot as they prepare for an expected election, including proposed laws
that would protect federal whistleblowers and children.

A much-anticipated change to the Criminal Code that would
decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana is among
the bills that would die on the order paper if Prime Minister Paul
Martin calls a general vote that's widely expected to be held June
28.

However, critics say it's the lack of important legislation on the
House of Commons docket that marked the latest session of Parliament,
which they describe as an indication of a Liberal government that's
been in limbo for months.

"The Martin government has brought forward virtually no new
legislation of its own," said New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton.

"You'd think that after somebody had been preparing to be prime
minister for so long that they'd take advantage of the fact that they
have a majority in the House of Commons and bring forward some changes."

Peter MacKay, Conservative party deputy leader, said it's been a
lacklustre session.

"Outside of the marijuana bill, it's hard (for Canadians) to remember
which bills are there," he said.

"This is the lightest political legislative agenda that I've seen in
seven years. I've never seen the order paper so sparse with
legislation, so lacking in any kind of vision or any sort of
leadership direction for the country."

Members of Parliament left Ottawa on Friday for what was scheduled as
a one-week break. However, it's believed they won't return until fall,
as Martin is widely expected to begin a five-week election campaign
May 23. Over the last few weeks, Martin has shrugged off questions
over when he'll call an election, saying he's more concerned about
governing.

Yet, his government has brought forward little major legislation,
choosing instead to tout future meetings and summits as vehicles for
changing Canada's legal and political landscape.

Most of the bills that are slated to die once the election writ is
dropped are holdovers from the former Chretien government. They
include: A bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of
marijuana, an initiative former justice minister Martin Cauchon had
heralded as long overdue.

A measure to tighten child pornography laws by limiting the defence of
artistic merit, a move applauded by law-and-order advocates but
denounced by civil libertarians.

Legislation to revamp aboriginal self-government, a measure the
Liberals have quietly backed away from after meeting bitter opposition
from many First Nations.

There's also a proposed law to protect those who call attention to
waste and corruption.

Heralded by Martin as a way to clean up government mismanagement in
the wake of the sponsorship scandal, the whistleblower legislation was
long sought by public service unions and others to prevent civil
servants from being demoted, fired or otherwise disciplined for
calling action to wrongdoing.