SEX, DRUGS DISCUSSED IN COMMONS

Sex and drugs are a hot topic in the Cabinet.

"All we've talked about is sex and drugs," said Yellowhead Canadian
Alliance (CA) MP Rob Merrifield, senior health critic, referring to
the same-sex marriage legislation and the decriminalization of marijuana.

Merrifield spoke at the Huron Bruce Canadian Alliance Beef Dinner on
Friday night.

"If I was gay, I would vote against (the same-sex marriage
legislation). It sets a very scary precedence," he said, adding it
puts a nail in the coffin of democracy.

"If all pieces of legislation can be changed in court, why elect
people to represent you," he asked members of the Huron Bruce Canadian
Alliance Party.

Merrifield said power only sits in two places in the cabinet, the
prime minister's office (PMO) and the press gallery. "We need
candidates who will stand up for democracy. We need MPs to take the
power back from the PMO."

Canada's forefathers fought for democracy, said Merrifield, adding
people are happy to sit back and let it be taken away.

Bill C-250 attacks the essence of the country, freedom of religious
expression and freedom of expression, the MP said. Merrifield said the
he and the CA have been trying to stop C-250 and another bill on
reproductive technology.

Dubbed the cloning bill, Merrifield said it will change ethics in
Canada. Whereas life from its earliest stages to the end are cherished
in this country, he said the cloning bill will allow people to destroy
life for the greater good of society.

In the future, this bill may allow governments to refuse health
funding for seniors and those with physical or mental disabilities
because they cause too much stress on the health care system.

When it comes to burden on health care, Merrifield said the worst is
about to come. The health problems caused by an epidemic of obese
children, combined by the health problems of the aging baby boom
generation, will hit the system at the same time. He added the trend
doesn't reverse until 2041.

While the health-care system is a national icon, the MP said it is not
a very good system, adding it's rated 30th in the world. He added the
federal government puts $112.5 billion into health care, if age of the
population is factored in, he said Canada is ranked first in funding.

Fifty per cent of people who go into a hospital have a reaction to
medication, Merrifield said, adding 40 per cent of the country's
drivers are under the influence of some medication.

Merrifield said the Romanow report missed the two biggest problems
with the health-care system, a waiting list a million people long and
a shortage of doctors, nurses and other human resources.

Since 1993, the MP said the federal government has spent $243 million
just studying health care. How many MRIs could have been performed or
how many nurses could have been hired with $243 million?, he asked.
"We need to get on with the delivery of health care."

"Paul Martin is the only person in Canada to take money from health
care," said Merrifield, adding the federal government still isn't
providing the agreed 50/50 funding with provincial
governments.

The government is reneging on a promised $2 billion boost to health
care from the budget surplus. "John Manley said it's not there," said
Merrifield, noting the $16.5 billion in grants and contributions the
government has made. He called the contributions a Liberal slush fund.

"Stephen Harper is the greatest leader in the house of commons today,"
said Merrifield, adding Harper has grown into his position.

Conservative Unity

The MP said Harper has put his job and political career on the line to
try and unite the CA and Progressive Conservatives (PC) to form the
Conservative Party.

Merrifield said a 14-point merger plan was taken to the conservatives
and 13 have been agreed upon. He added the CA would even take the PC
debt.

The one point that hasn't been agreed upon was the issue of electing a
party leader but Merrifield said the CA doesn't care about how party
leader is chosen.

If the merger doesn't go as planned, the MP said the blame will lie
with PC leader Peter MacKay.

Marijuana

The Liberal agenda is to push the decriminalization of marijuana, said
Merrifield, adding this action would further distance relations with
United States, which is Canada's largest trading partner.

In his riding, Merrifield said drug dealers are spraying marijuana
with methamphetamines to make the youth who use them addicted to
stronger drugs.

Sexual Misconduct

Merrifield criticized the age of consent for consentual sexual
activity. "A (14-year-old) teenage girl can't drive until she's 16,
can't vote until she's 18, but is allowed to have sex with a
40-year-old."

He also criticized the federal sex offender registry, explaining,
because it isn't retroactive, offenders like Karla Homolka wouldn't be
required to register.

The MP made note of the results of the provincial election. "After a
hard-fought election, you people (CA members) come out to talk
politics. You people are sick."