BACKBENCHERS BERATE POT BILL

Liberal Colleagues Criticize Lack Of Consultation

OTTAWA-The government's push to decriminalize simple possession of
marijuana is running into opposition from Liberal backbenchers, with some
openly questioning Prime Minister Jean Chretien's wisdom in putting the
issue on the public agenda.

Others wonder whether the bill can be passed this year, given the already
heavy legislative agenda in the Commons and the Liberal leadership campaign.

Jim Karygiannis (Scarborough-Agincourt) was the most outspoken yesterday,
suggesting the pot bill is one more reason Chretien should step down early.
"After 10 years of being in power he's forgotten the dynamics of democracy,
the dynamics of listening to the caucus," said Karygiannis.

He wants Chretien to leave as soon as the federal Liberals choose a new
leader Nov. 15, rather than waiting until next February to hand over power.

"The sooner the better," said Karygiannis. "Nov. 16, thank you Mr. Prime
Minister for being there, let's have a big bash and let's usher in a new
leader."

No other Liberals would go that far, but a number of backbenchers took
issue with the legislation introduced Tuesday by Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon.

The bill would make possession of up to 15 grams of pot a minor offence,
punishable by fines ranging between $100 and $250 for youths and $150 to
$400 for adults.

"I'm not impressed," said MP Paul Steckle. "It may appear at first blush to
be going in the right direction. But a $100 fine is hardly a penalty; $100
won't even buy you a ticket to a rock concert today."

Dennis Mills, a Toronto MP, who has been preoccupied with the economic
impact of SARS on his city's tourist trade, suggested the government' s
legislative plate is already full enough.

"I think when we have so many other issues on the front burner right now
.talking about marijuana is nuts," said Mills. "I'm more focused on people
who are out of work."

Dan McTeague, another Ontario backbencher, complained the bill was brought
in without adequate consultation with caucus. "Bluntly, there was no input
and we're being asked to possibly vote on this by edict," said McTeague.
"This bill is badly flawed."

Stan Keyes, the national caucus chairman, said he personally has no problem
with the legislation, but acknowledged some colleagues are miffed they
didn't have a bigger say in advance of its tabling. The government has to
do a better job of explaining the benefits of decriminalization, both to
the general public and to caucus, said Keyes.

"We'd like to be there as a support mechanism for our ministers, but how
can we be a support mechanism if we don't know what our ministers are
intending to do."

John Harvard of Winnipeg, chairman of the western Liberal caucus, said he
thinks Cauchon is on the right track, but questioned whether the bill can
be adequately debated and passed by the end of the year, as the minister
has suggested.

"Given the fact that we have a leadership contest in the fall, I don't know
what the state of parliament might be,"said Harvard. "It sounds to me like
it might be a little too soon."

Joe Fontana, a London, Ont. backbencher, said he hopes the bill can be
amended to boost fine to around $500 and to reduce the limit for possession
to five grams from 15.

He also agreed with Harvard that leadership politics could undermine
Cauchon's schedule.

"There'sa lot of time between now and next year," said Fontana. "All kinds
of variables are mixed in there."

It's not immediately clear, however, how a change in party leadership
politics would affect the bill.

All three candidates to succeed Cretien, former finance minister Paul
Martin, Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and Deputy Prime Minister John
Manley - have said they favor doing away with jail terms and criminal
records for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Paddy Torsney, who chaired an all-party committee that spent months
studying the subject before recommending decriminalization, said there's no
reason why Cretien's timetable can't be met.

She curtly rejected claims that there hasn't been enough consultation.

"There are lots of opportunity for discussion (for) those who had something
to say about it," said Torsney, "We argued out the issues and we came up
with what we think is the best response for Canadians."

Cauchon conceded yesterday that drug-impaired driving laws will also need
an overhaul in light of the new regime.

"We will come up with reform on that side as soon as we can," Cauchon told
the House of Commons. "We want to make sure that we will be able to develop
a test that will be accepted by the courts."

Cauchon was reluctant, however to explain exactly what kind of moves he has
in mind.

Nor would he guarantee that stronger impaired-driving provisions will be
enshrined in the Criminal Code by the end of the year - the self-imposed
deadline for decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot.