CANADA IS A HAVEN FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

Re: A Dopey Lobby, editorial, Aug. 27.

Has the National Post no memory? Can it not recall the multitude of media
reports on the dim view the Americans have given the proposed bill to reform
our cannabis laws and how their concerns could lead to tighter restrictions at
our borders?

Perhaps some of the senior minions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade -- ever vigilant for subversive activities of Liberal
backbenchers as they are, and their political masters in the Prime Minister's
Office who most likely assisted in providing the trumped-up little story to the
press to twist about a group of pesky backbenchers getting out of line --
should put their names on a ballot come the next election.

Maybe they could explain to their potential constituents why Canada is a haven
for bankrolling organized crime and a gateway for international drug
trafficking. In the process, they can come to my riding and try to explain why
the Americans would not give serious consideration to increasing protection at
their borders to stem the flow of Canadian cannabis -- even at the detriment of
our trade relationship.

Does the Post honestly believe that a few backbench MPs, regardless of their
own valid concerns about the bill, could actually persuade Americans to force
our government to abandon its proposed legislation? If it does, please go back
to whatever sources you are using and complain about being used as a dupe to
attack MPs who actually think they have a role in addressing the concerns of
the people who elected them to represent their views instead of being trained
seals for the PMO.

Dan McTeague, M.P.

Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge, Ont.