A private member's bill aimed at giving Canadian law enforcement the necessary tools to deal with ecstasy and crystal meth passed its first test in the House of Commons this week thanks to area Member of Parliament John Weston.
"We're standing up for kids - kids who are getting into trouble with drugs," said Weston during an interview Wednesday (Nov. 4).
Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, introduced Bill C-475 on Monday (Nov. 2) in the House of Commons. The bill creates a new offence for the procurement of ingredients with the intent to manufacture either of these highly addictive drugs.
Introduced previously in a slightly different form by MP for Peace River Chris Warkentin, the bill originally attracted unanimous support in the House of Commons and broad acclaim from law enforcement officers, educators, parents and other across Canada. It got to second reading in the Senate before it was stalled when the last election was called.
Weston said when the Attorney General asked him to introduce the bill last week, he leaped at the opportunity.
"This bill is important, but especially important to parents, of which I am one," said Weston. "Every parent has to consider how you can prevent your kids from getting hooked on drugs. No family, no matter what their income level is immune. We hear about all kids of families in my riding and ridings across Canada being victimized because of this."
Weston said he has met with the three opposition justice critics and they have indicated they are in favour of the bill.
"Chris [Warkentin} got it up to second reading in the Senate after unanimous consent in the House. I'm fully confident I will get unanimous consent in the House again," he said.
"Given its intent, which is to protect youth and the good rapport I have with these three MPs, it has a good chance of getting multi-party support."
Weston said he expects debate on the bill in the next three months, then it will be turned over to the Justice and Human Rights Committee, followed by second reading in the House and ultimately to the Senate.
He added he hopes to expedite the process given the indicated support of the bill by opposition MPs.
