Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2005
Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peak Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.prpeak.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734
Author: Laura Walz, Peak Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Stephen+Harper
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

WESTON CALLS PLAN 'ELEGANT'

Conservative Party platform includes child care and GST
plans

Conservative Party candidate John Weston opened his campaign office in
Powell River on Monday, December 5.

Weston, the candidate for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky
riding, said he welcomed Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper's
announcement over the weekend about mandatory minimum sentences for
the most serious drug crimes.

Under the party's plan, offenders involved with trafficking,
importing, exporting or producing the most addictive drugs, such as
heroin, cocaine, crystal meth and large amounts (over three kilograms)
of marijuana or hashish, would face mandatory minimum prison sentences
of at least two years.

Weston said his party's announcements over the first week of the
campaign, which included a new child care allowance, reducing the GST
(goods and service tax), and improving health care, have been consistent.

"We're saying we want to be accountable to the law enforcement
officials who are trying to enforce our laws, so we need mandatory
minimum sentences," he said. "The federal accountability act that
Stephen has mentioned means reining in the gross gorging of the public
purse, which has been so endemic of our governments, especially on the
eve of elections."

Harper's announcements are reflections of the national policy platform,
which Weston described as an "elegantly written document that is inclusive,
upbeat and resonates with the values that are most important to Canadians:
freedom, responsibility, equality and compassion."

Weston said the first week of the federal election campaign for him
was "energetic, upbeat and positive."

The high profile of the riding has triggered a high level of interest
from national media, Weston added. Because he speaks both French and
Mandarin, he has been in demand by both French and Asian media, Weston
also said. "What I found most encouraging, and I think this is
indicative of the climate, is the number of committed volunteers who
are involved," he said. "I've organized five teams in five different
regions throughout the riding and each team is vying for my time and
my energy."

He's happy about the message that he is hearing from team members,
Weston added. "It's about the vision that they see in the Conservative
Party platform," he said. "They're seeing a galvanizing influence
through the leader, Stephen Harper, and they're seeing a real
alternative. I think there's a wind of change that is sweeping across
the province and maybe even the country." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake