Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2005
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
862f62-51c6-4ca1-bb5b-de7df734abb9
Copyright: 2005 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Barbara Yaffe

JUSTICE MINISTER 'FEELS THE CONCERN' ABOUT OUR DRUG WOES

No, Irwin Cotler has never smoked pot and no, he isn't inclined to
liberalize Canada's drug laws.

In fact, Canada's justice minister, following a visit this week to the West
Coast, is keen to beef up enforcement of the drug laws.

While here, the former law professor who represents a largely anglo riding
in Quebec, met with police and municipal and provincial officials on
Vancouver Island and throughout the Lower Mainland.

In an interview over coffee at his downtown hotel, he told me he has got the
message.

He generally knew about British Columbians' concern about the drug problem
but, "by coming out here I've been able to feel the concern and we'll be
taking an active approach."

Cotler says he's aware the public believes the courts are soft on drug
dealers, laws aren't properly enforced and those sent to the clink slither
through a revolving-door system that has them quickly out on the streets
again.

The minister said Ottawa is determined to deploy a new approach.

His recent announcement on tougher penalties for crystal meth dealers was
meant "to send a strong signal to the courts as to how grave we regard this
offence to be and how responsible we regard the offender."

"This is not a modest gesture, it's a major one."

Conservative Opposition justice critic Vic Toews, a Manitoba MP, scoffed
this week at the federal move on crystal meth.

"Courts are not even imposing the current maximums and we have seen
consistently in the past that when maximum sentences are raised there is no
corresponding increase in penalties."

Cotler said he knows Toews favours minimum sentences, but asserts that
ultimately minimum sentences tend themselves to become maximums.

The justice minister said Ottawa is establishing dedicated prosecution units
for the purposes of getting tougher penalties for those committing drug
offences.

"We'll go into court now and frame the indictment in a way that will convey
to the court the gravity of this offence."

Cotler was in Vancouver to attend the annual Canadian Bar Association
convention, but scheduled time to sit in on a Vancouver drug court that
meets Tuesday afternoons. And, for the first time, he took in the sights
around Hastings and Main by way of a police tour.

The minister's newfound sensitivity about Vancouver's drug woes underscores
the disadvantage of having the centre of government three-quarters of the
way across the continent.

Cotler said he isn't able to say when the law to decriminalize possession of
small amounts of pot will be passed by Parliament, given the government's
minority status, but hopes it will be this fall.

Asked what he thought of Mayor Larry Campbell's desire that marijuana be
legalized and a California judge's assertion last week that harsh
legislation has done zip to diminish U.S. drug use, Cotler shook his head.
He says laws send out messages; legalizing pot would only broadcast societal
sanction for toking up.

The father of four says he's certain his son, an anti-drug activist, has
never used pot. As for his three daughters, the policy at home is "don't
ask, don't tell."

Cotler is keen to move on animal cruelty legislation that has bounced for
years back and forth between the Commons and the Senate. Again, he hopes the
law will pass this fall.

Another hot issue for Cotler is judicial appointments and putting more
aboriginals on the bench.

Cotler doesn't favour a formal quota system but says while merit must be the
first consideration, "diversity should be taken into account."

I asked him about a recently published book, revealing that the names of 41
per cent of 52 judges appointed in 2003 were also found on lists of those
donating to the Liberals between 1997 and 2003.

"Conspiracy is in the eye of the beholder here because, I'm telling you,
this does not happen. I've not made any appointments where I even know the
political affiliation and couldn't have cared less."

My next question focused on the Gomery inquiry into the Liberal party
sponsorship scandal, but whaddya' know -- the minister had run right out of
time. 
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MAP posted-by: Josh