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Chris Hrynkow, Elmwood Transcona |
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 Bill C-26 is a bill tabled by the Conservative government that received its first reading in February of 2008. It proposes mandatory minimum sentences for the production and trafficking of various controlled substances, including cannabis, methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin. These minimums begin at six months for production of 1-200 cannabis plants and extend up to three years for offenses involving heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines. The bill has now received two readings and was before the justice committee prior to the election call. How would you vote on Bill C-26 if it were to come before the House for a final reading?
- Opposed. Simply put, the bill lumps together too many issues that should be differentiated more carefully
Are you in favour of the continued operation of Insite, Vancouver’s safe injection facility?
- Yes. For reasons that I mention more fully in the answer to your [last] question, I believe that this program is part of the government’s responsibility to foster healthy communities. However, this particular programme is in no way the whole answer. It needs to be enhanced by better government support that works towards building healthier communities.
In your opinion, the possession of marijuana for recreational use should (choose one):
a. remain criminalized b. be decriminalized c. be legalized
- Be legalized. Legalizations seem to be the most effective way to ensure the safety and health of Canadians. Legalization would also subvert the black economy in cannabis. The manner in which the so called “system” currently works only lends credence to the idea that cannabis is a gateway drug as many people are forced to purchase cannabis from dealers who sell other very dangerous and illegal products.
What steps should the government take to help those for whom illegal drug use has become a problem?
- As I believe in a holistic vision of healthcare which is centred on healing, I hold that the government has the responsibility to foster the health of all its citizens. In the case of chemical dependency on illegal drugs, this vision would involve effective programming not only dealing with symptoms (as per the current “sick care model”) but working towards healing the effected person as a whole. Simply put, healthy people in this holistic sense make for healthy communities.
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