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| MPs Present Petition To Reintroduce Pot Bill |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 09, 2002 at 16:06:19 PT By Louise Elliot, Canadian Press Source: Canadian Press 
More than 80 opposition MPs from three parties are calling for reintroduction of a private member's bill in the Commons after it was defeated by what they say was a dirty government trick. Through a petition presented Thursday in the Commons, 81 Alliance, Bloc Quebecois and NDP members asked Commons Speaker Peter Milliken to revive Alliance MP Keith Martin's bill to decriminalize marijuana. The Liberals set a dangerous precedent when they passed a motion to refer the bill to a committee without Martin's permission last month, NDP MP Bill Blaikie said Thursday. "It could become the method by which the government prevents from coming to a vote those things they'd rather not have the House vote on," he said. "This is the first time a votable bill has not been voted on at second reading without the permission of the member who is sponsoring the motion." In the mid-1980s, Parliament reformed the system by which opposition bills and motions are selected and voted upon, Blaikie said. Since that time they have been referred to a subcommittee for a decision, out of the reach of the government. Alliance MP Ted White said the handling of Martin's bill set a dangerous precedent because it eliminated a check on government. "Many of the measures we bring to the House as private member's bills or motions are related to us by constituents . . . or large sectors of society that feel government really is not moving on an issue," he said. "We do a disservice to our community and our constituents if we don't fight this." Forty-one Alliance MPs signed the petition, 30 Bloc Quebecois, and 10 NDP members. Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe and NDP Leader Alexa McDonough were among those who signed. Bloc MP Rheal Menard said Martin approached the six Liberal MPs who voted against the government's so-called poison-pill amendment, but they would not sign. Some Conservative MPs disagreed with the Alliance about the petition, Menard said. "There were arguments between some of the Conservative and Alliance members, and some of them didn't want to sign," he said. Martin, who had worked on his bill for four years before the Liberals sent it to committee, grabbed the ceremonial mace of the Commons on April 17 to protest the move. The House voted 173-49 to suspend Martin until he apologized for what he admitted was a premeditated act of civil disobedience. He later apologized for his breach of parliamentary decorum and was readmitted to the House. Complete Title: Opposition MPs Present Petition To Reintroduce Private Pot Bill Source: Canadian Press Related Articles & Web Site: Canadian Links Canada: The Debate Over Decriminalization Should We Treat Pot Like Tobacco? Senators Ask Decriminalize Pot: Alliance MP Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #9 posted by Jose Melendez on May 11, 2002 at 09:16:17 PT:
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| I am thrilled to hear the great news... Peace. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by Floyd on May 10, 2002 at 13:42:13 PT |
| I can honestly say it damned near brings tears to my eyes to be a Canadian and see that my country still seems to not only know whats right, but do whats right.
I hate to admit it, but I thought this time we were going to bow to U.S. pressure and send them these guys to the DEA.
My faith and pride restored, god bless whoever was behind the decision to not send them back. WERE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =) [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #7 posted by kaptinemo on May 10, 2002 at 05:19:54 PT:
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| ...to comment on this article; the good news about Steve and Ken distracted me. Those of you who've been following this move by the Grits up there can see the puppet strings of Washington jerking M. Chretien's mouth, arms and legs very clearly. This is exactly the kind of things that US pols try to pull (Remember Initiative 59 in washington DC and what the pols like Bob Barr did to nullify it by passing an unConstitutional law that forbade the counting of the votes?). It would seem M. Chretien and his cronies are trying to perform a Canadian version of the same kind of thing: nullification of democracy via underhanded trickery. But he's been caught, and the minority parties are smelling the blood. If the Liberal Regime in Ottawa isn't careful, it may find itself on the wrong side of the Canadian sovereignty line. Anti-US governemnt feeling in Canada is at an all-time high; the absolutely disgraceful nonchalant and dismissive behavior of the Bush Cabal with regards to (US caused!) Canadian losses in the Afghan War has them righteously steamed. (If I were President, Dick the Dick would have been on Air Force 2 to Ottawa so fast that his shoes would have melted to apologize profusely and attend the funerals. Instead, he couldn't be bothered; 'handling' W is a full time chore...) The Federal government of Canada has been trying to take a page from US parliamentary perfidy and attempt to use it up there...and they were found out. Thus allying themselves with the unpopular Bush Cabal. Not a good idea in a country where votes of no confidence can trigger elections you won't win this time. I imagine that the Grit back benchers have gone beyond grumbling and may be forming their own ideas as to who should lead them. Before M. Chretien's lapdog-like loyalty to the Bushies gets more Canucks killed. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on May 10, 2002 at 04:54:28 PT:
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| Sorry, NM, but things were 'going' long before I got here. And we have FoM and the good folks at MAPINC to thank for that. And I thank our Canuck sisters and brothers for their support in pressuring the Canadian Justice system in allowing Steve and Ken to stay. The merits of the case are obvious...and the matter of Canadian sovereignty is irretrievably intertwined, now. For if Canada gave them up, then what claim can she make that refugees from persecution are welcome to her shores? The persecution of MMJ patients by the US is unconscionable; would Canada follow suit by supinely handing them over? It would seem not... Evidently, the Canadian government has finally learned there's only so much the Canadian people will stand. M. Chretien must be very worried right now... So I, too, say: Vive la Canada!/Long Live Canada! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by WolfgangWylde on May 10, 2002 at 04:30:11 PT |
| Scheduled to re-play at 11:00PM Eastern tonight. They pay a vist to Marc Emery, and tour a grow room in B.C. The usual load of crap from the cops, and the host buys in to some of the more pervasive myths on marijuana, but overall its a good show. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Nuevo Mexican on May 09, 2002 at 19:08:24 PT |
| Brace yourselves for more good news, as this is just the tip of the iceburg! Robin Prosser has followed their example and I thank her! One person makes 'all' the difference, but two or three can really get things going, like FOM, Kap, dddd, Jose, do as an example. What you hear at C-News becomes next months news articles, we see it all the time. Hello media lurkers, your doing a great job, keep up the good work! The war is over, spread the word! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Dark Star on May 09, 2002 at 17:14:00 PT |
| This is great news. May sanity take hold in the south as well. Canada Rules! Amerika Drools! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 09, 2002 at 16:27:05 PT |
| I have been looking for news and you brought it here! I have had Steve on my mind all day. I didn't know it was also for Ken Hayes and that makes it extra good news! I'm so happy! There is hope!!! Long Live Canada! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by idbsne1 on May 09, 2002 at 16:14:54 PT |
| Sorry for double posting, but.... Hey everyone....Steve Tuck and Ken Hayes are FREE!!!!!!!!!! They are able to stay in Canada for 1-3 years until their refugee status has been decided.. apparently they are backed up...at that time, if they do not receive refugee status, they will have 30 days to go ANYWHERE!!! All charges against Ken Hayes were dropped!!!! Steve Kubby's trial is tomorrow, and I hope all will be well... Steve Tuck would like to thank everyone that has supported him in this trying time, and would like everyone to know that he has a renewed faith in humanity...many have come forward with immense support...I AM SOOOO HAPPY!!!!! LONG LIVE CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! idbsne1
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