Mr. Speaker, in just seven hours from now Canada's first national anti-drug rally will take place in Abbotsford, British Columbia. I wish I could be there but Bill C-79 on victims' rights requires my attention here tomorrow.
The rally will focus national attention on the need for federal, provincial and municipal governments support for health care for those addicted to drugs, for more commitment to drug education and for a real national drug strategy that works on the street.
The question is why in 1999 do we need to be taking this action? Where has the government been over the last six years? What will it take to get this Liberal government to care more about drug addicts than their patronage friends?
With the help of former Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo, we will begin to answer the question: “Drugs, are we ready to fight?” Tonight in Abbotsford thousands of people will be ready to say yes.