Evidence of meeting #19 for Justice and Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was drugs.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
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Executive Director, Break the Chains
—of the people in prison there for drugs to almost half of all prisoners. If you ask the public what they think is the most important crime, rarely will they put drugs in the top five.
So I don't understand how, in the effort to reduce violence and criminality, you would follow the example of the United States to show you everything that's wrong.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Fast
We're going to have to move on to the next questioner. Thank you.
We're going to move on to Mr. Rathgeber for seven minutes.
May 4th, 2009 / 4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to all of the witnesses for your testimony here this afternoon.
Mr. Tousaw, it's nice to see you again. I had the opportunity to ask you some questions on Thursday, as you will recall, in Vancouver.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
That day you were representing the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.
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Beyond Prohibition Foundation
I was, though I think I made it clear that some of the views expressed were my own.
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Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
You did, and today you are representing Beyond Prohibition?
4:55 p.m.
Beyond Prohibition Foundation
The Beyond Prohibition Foundation, that's right.
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Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
I guess, without going into too much detail, are the goals and objectives of those associations largely similar?
4:55 p.m.
Beyond Prohibition Foundation
Well, no. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is a civil liberties organization that shares some similar attributes with the Beyond Prohibition Foundation, but I would say the foundation is more directly targeted to the issue before this panel today.
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Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Very good.
Now, Mr. Oscapella indicated in his opening remarks that in his view a sensible drug policy would have three constituent elements: legalize, control, and discourage. Do you agree with those three tenets?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Beyond Prohibition Foundation
Oh, absolutely. I think the only success in drug policy we've seen in this country over the last 20 years has been the reduction in youth smoking of tobacco. We achieved that without arresting anybody. We achieved it primarily through moral suasion and education.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
But you do actually promote the use of currently illegal substances.
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Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Were you not a candidate in the 40th general election?
4:55 p.m.
Beyond Prohibition Foundation
I was. I don't recall promoting illegal drug use during that brief and shining moment.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
Refresh my memory. Were you a candidate for the Marijuana Party or for the New Democratic Party?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB
And on about September 19, were you not asked to resign as a candidate for the New Democratic Party?