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July 04, 2003

MLA, principal speak out against marijuana reform

Federal "decriminalization" bill would impose fines for possession

PATRICIA D'SOUZA

At the same time that Nunavut is becoming one of the toughest jurisdictions in Canada for tobacco control, the federal government is developing legislation to lighten penalties for marijuana possession.

Quttiktuq MLA Rebekah Williams pointed out the contradiction during a member's statement in the legislative assembly in early June.

"I have been shocked by the decision of our national government to introduce legislation to decriminalize possession of certain amounts of marijuana," she said.

"This decision is a wrong one. It sends the wrong message to our youth and a wrong message to our society.

"I have been disappointed at the silence of the Nunavut government on this issue. Although our government has taken strong positions on other federal outrages such as gun registry and the shrimp quota issue, it has been publicly silent on this problem.

"I know our government cannot stop Ottawa on its own, but it should raise its voice, and I question why our premier and our health minister have been silent.

"I find it very strange that while our minister of health has introduced a bill in this House to impose restrictions on tobacco use, he has not said a word about marijuana, which is also a dangerous drug."

While Ed Picco, the minister of health, later told members that he is in favour of marijuana use for medical purposes, he has not spoken out about the criminal aspect.

But Terry Young, the principal of Iqaluit's Inuksuk High School, says the Liberal government's Cannabis Control Bill is a bad idea.

He said the issue struck him during the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention conference held at the school in May.

"There was so much talk about the effects of drugs and alcohol on suicide," he said in an interview last week. "I don't know how [the bill] will affect life in the South, but to increase accessibility [in the North] would be a concern to me."

Young discussed his concerns with Nancy Karetak-Lindell, MP for Nunavut, and encouraged the Iqaluit District Education Authority to contact her to find out how she plans to vote on the bill.

The Cannabis Control Bill received first reading in the House of Commons in March and is expected to receive second reading and be referred to a committee in September when the House resumes sitting.

The bill gives police officers authority to impose fines, instead of criminal charges, for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Karetak-Lindell said in an interview last Wednesday that the bill could actually be a strong weapon against drug abuse.

"More charges would be laid because it is a simplified process for law enforcement," she said.

The most important effect of the bill is that teenagers who make stupid mistakes won't be left with criminal records.

"I've had people applying to my office for pardons. That makes me a little more aware. We all make mistakes. It narrows career options for someone," she said.

"I have to weigh the pros and cons of that. I think of many young people who have enough barriers in their lives."

She admitted, however, that she still has concerns about the effects the legislation could have in Nunavut.

"I can't say now [how I would vote on the bill]. I'm still trying to think of all the ramifications."

And if she has questions, she knows that many Nunavummiut must have questions too. So she said she will try to hold information sessions throughout Nunavut in the fall, when the bill is before committee.

But information sessions may not be enough. Terry Young said there have been three incidents at Inuksuk since January involving students and marijuana.

"I think it would go up if it becomes acceptable," he said.

"I think it's truly the wrong thing for the North. The potential for hurt is too great."

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