Bill C-17 and The Gomery Inquiry

[Ben_6843]

About a week ago, the liberals announced that they would not have time in this session to deal with the controversial bill C-17, which would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, due to the upcoming federal election.

This isn't a huge surprise. The Liberals stated that the reason for this decision is the bill is controversial, and many members of different parties would want to weigh in on the matter before it was passed. For instance, the Bloc and NDP both support the bill, but want amendments made to it before it passes. For instance, they are likely to request provisions providing amnesty for offenders charged under the old system.

But here is where things get interesting.

With John Gomery pushing back the election by 6 weeks, the Liberals have changed a winter election into a spring election, boosting Liberal prospects and increasing pressure on the Conservatives, who may try and bring down the government this fall.

Personally, I support C-17 and hope that members of the NDP, Conservatives, or Bloc call the Liberals on their delays and posturing before an election. All the major parties have reasons to call them on this move: The Bloc and NDP because they want to see the legislation pass, and the Conservatives because bringing this issue up could hurt support for the Liberals in the upcoming election.

Anyway, I'll be writing my MP about this, but it should make an interesting start to the session when parliament resumes.

[mirror]

Ben

Welcome to MLW.

It seems to me like the Liberals are just using an excuse to get it off the table. PM Martin wants to cozy up to the US, and basically have the US dictate what Canada should and should not do, so it seems the marijuana legislation is toast, don't you think?

Cheers

[shoop]

Ben,

Congrats on joining the fray. You will find most posts to be thoughtful and approach issues intelligently. Alas, others will be mere attacks without much in the way of thought or maturity.

It's up to you to decide which posts are which.

C-17 will clear the house pretty easily if it gets brought up for a vote before the next election.

The Conservatives (CPC) have been pretty quiet on this one. My vibe is because of the libertarian wing of the party. If I had to guess I would say that Harper allows a free vote on the bill if it comes up for a vote before an election.

I personally hope it does because I support the bill, I don't see PM Harper re-introducing the bill if it dies on the order paper and I am pretty sure he will be the PM come the outcome of the next election.

[Ben_6843]

First of all, thanks for the welcome from both of you. This board truly does seem to be populated with intelligent and friendly people.

mirror, I agree with you. The Liberals (and particularly Deputy PM Anne Mclellan) seem to be going along with the US on issues more than I am personally comfortable with. Also, they clearly don't want to stir up anything controversial before an election.

However, I don't think that all hope is lost on bill C-17. Support for the Liberals is waning, and with both the Bloc and NDP strongly behind it, and the Liberals at least claiming to be behind it, I think the bill has a chance if it gets brought forward before the election, as shoop said.

As for Harper becoming PM, I just can't see it. It came very very close to being a real possibility earlier this year, but when the Liberals defeated the non-confidence motion, I think it dealt a pretty strong blow to the CPC.

If I had to bet, I would say we will get another minority Liberal (possibly by a finer margin than the current government), with a few extra NDP seats.

Mind you... Gomery has not yet spoken.

[mirror]

As for Harper becoming PM, I just can't see it. It came very very close to being a real possibility earlier this year, but when the Liberals defeated the non-confidence motion, I think it dealt a pretty strong blow to the CPC.

If I had to bet, I would say we will get another minority Liberal (possibly by a finer margin than the current government), with a few extra NDP seats.

Ben

You seem to have a good handle on our political scene in Canada.

I think what has damaged the Tories, and it is showing in the polls is Stronach's defection to the Liberals. She gave them some credibility in central Canada but now she is gone elsewhere. That's why those Quebecers went public with their request for a leadership change this week. They have the time now, no election until May, 2006. They should explore it.

Good luck with your objective to get Canada to decriminalize marijuana.

Cheers