Mr. Chair, when it comes to the decriminalization of marijuana, the member's comments are absolutely wrong.
The fact of the matter is that the current law is not working. It is not being enforced uniformally across the country. There is no question that the bill would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. The member must recognize it would not legalize marijuana, but it would impose fines and penalties on people caught with small amounts of marijuana. In terms of that process, young people should recognize the fact that what they are doing is against the law. The fact they had to pay a fine or a penalty is proof of that. I realize they will not get a criminal record.
If people are caught with marijuana in downtown Toronto, they will get a slap on the wrist, but if they are caught in my community in North Wiltshire, P.E.I., they would probably have a criminal record which would affect them for life. That is not a uniform law across the country. We need to recognize that as the reality.
Moving to the second step in terms of marijuana grow operations and the courts, this is still open for debate. Is 15 grams too high? I personally believe it is. I think we should be down to five grams. Are the penalties strong enough? I think they are close. In terms of marijuana grow operations, it does not get us to what the member is asking regarding minimum sentencing, but it is getting pretty close.
The bill sets up a system where judges must justify why they are not imposing sentences as intended by this Parliament. This will lead to stronger sentences for marijuana grow operations. I do not favour minimum sentences, but so help me if judges do not start imposing the law as intended by this Parliament, then we will have to move. Some of us who are now opposed to minimum sentences would be willing to move to minimum sentences if judges in this country do not impose the penalties intended by this Parliament.
I see the so-called marijuana legislation as changing things substantially. First, clearly outlining through an education program that smoking marijuana is wrong. Second, it is against the law. Third, marijuana grow operations are a clear violation of the laws of this land. It is better outlined in legislation in terms of what those more serious sentences should be. At the end of the day we will be moving people away from smoking marijuana, and damper down and kill the scourge of marijuana grow operations which are much too prominent in this country right now.