JUSTICE MINISTER NIXES LEGALIZING POT

The federal justice minister has slammed the door on any thoughts marijuana
may be legalized -- but left it slightly open to having the drug
de-criminalized.

"Canada has no plans to legalize marijuana," said Martin Cauchon, speaking
at the Canadian Bar Association annual meeting in London.

"I believe endorsing marijuana use might inflict harm on society and lead
to greater problems."

But Cauchon said there should be a close look at drug laws.

"I believe it's time for an open discussion about modernizing the
criminal-justice system in this regard."

At a later news conference, Cauchon didn't rule out decriminalizing the drug.

Many of his Montreal constituents have told him simple possession should
not lead to a criminal record, which denies access to borders and makes it
hard to find a job, he said.

"We have to look at where our society is and to be able to update our
legislation."

That issue will be part of a wide-ranging round-table discussion Cauchon
plans this fall as a "a stock-taking" of Canada's criminal laws.

"We expect out legal system to operate fairly and we demand everyone
receives equal access to it."

Cauchon touched on his priorities as minister of justice, a portfolio he
took over in January.

They include a continued examination of child pornography laws, following
provisions that took effect last month aimed at protecting kids from people
trying to lure them into the sex trade.

The laws give judges the power to order the deletion of child pornography
from Canadian computer systems.

But in the wake of a B.C. court decision, Cauchon said the government will
bring forward new proposals this fall.

In March, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled graphic child sex stories written by
John Robin Sharpe had artistic merit and should not be considered criminal.

Cauchon also wants cabinet to discuss family law reform in hopes of
improving access to service to "minimize the damage caused by separation
and divorce."

He said he hopes to expand the availability of unified family courts and to
change language in the Divorce Act to ensure "the best interests of the
child are paramount."

And, after the fiascos in the U.S. with Enron and WorldCom, Cauchon said
legislation will be looked at, if needed. But he stressed such corporate
meltdowns have not happened here.