NDP FORUM FOCUSES ON ENERGY AND WEED

In a forum held Wednesday in the University Community Centre atrium entitled
"Cleaner Cars and Cannabis," local representatives of the New Democratic
Party suggested government time could be better spent on environmental
issues and marijuana legalization.

"Paying off old debt has become a mantra of right-wing government;
meanwhile, there are plenty of social and environmental problems which can
be fixed - and this needs to change," said Irene Mathyssen, NDP
representative for London-Fanshawe, expressing her eagerness to see the
federal government change hands.

"These changes include an intelligent, visionary government, as well as a
higher priority placed on environmental issues," Mathyssen said, adding that
lower emissions standards would be an ideal first step. "We know how to make
cleaner cars more energy and fuel-efficient, yet we continue to drift along
in the same status quo."

"It's time to look at things a little more realistically if you want to
address the environmental problems in this country," said Rob LeBlanc, a
third-year political science student and candidate for the position of
London-West NDP representative.

On an even greener note, the legalization of marijuana was also a top
concern for NDP supporters.

Marc Emery, head of the British Columbia Marijuana Party, was a scheduled
guest speaker for Wednesday's presentation but was unable to attend. Early
last week while attending a smiliar event at the University of Saskatchewan
- - he was arrested off campus and charged with trafficking marijuana - he was
passing a joint, explained legalization activist Hailey McPhail.

Emery did make an appearance by video from Saskatoon.

"I was originally head of the Green Party, but I am now giving full support
to the NDP," Emery said. "The vision of this party can fix the problems we
face as a nation with either a Liberal or Conservative party running the
country. The government is wasting millions of taxpayers' dollars
prosecuting people for the possession or use of marijuana, which is far less
harmful than cigarettes or alcohol."

"The legalization of marijuana would be a proactive start to cutting back on
wasted tax dollars," said Louise Collins, a third-year political science
student.