Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 Source: Victoria News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Victoria News Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267 Author: Michelle Martin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) LAYTON INJECTS POLITICS INTO FOLKFEST INTERVIEW In town for a short media-blitz, federal NDP leader Jack Layton praised Victoria for combating global warming by promoting sustainable transportation. But on the potential for a safe-injection site in Victoria under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government, Layton's tone sobered. "We're not optimistic," Layton said before pausing to sip on a local brew at FolkFest's Bayou Bar. The widely supported safe-injection site initiative would require an exemption from federal drugs laws, a precedent set by the safe-injection site in Vancouver's downtown eastside. However, these facilities aimed at harm reduction clash with Conservative vows to crack down on crime. "It's an important issue," said Layton who vowed the NDP would keep pushing this hot topic in the House of Commons. Layton's Friday visit to Victoria came in the wake of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first visit to Washington since becoming PM. The meeting provoked strong views from Layton. Harper's statement that Canada is "not prepared to open a missile defense issue at this time," particularly worried him. "What Mr. Harper has done-is open the door to Canada being part of an arms race," Layton said, noting experts predicted that if the U.S. moved toward placing armaments in space, other countries would follow. These predictions rang true, he said, referring to North Korea's recent missile tests. "We are not going to have a safer world because we have more missiles." Nevertheless, military spending in the right places is needed, he said. Commenting on the $15 billion in military spending that will land CFB Esquimalt at least one supply ship, he said, "Some of the investments in the military are required, because the equipment we're asking our personnel to use is old and dangerous." Layton, however, criticized the execution of the idea that has billion-dollar contracts flowing to U.S. companies. "They're not going to tender the process," he said. "They're doing it in a great rush. I think that's inevitably going to cost Canadians dramatically more." He likened the process to the softwood agreement that leaves $1 billion (20 per cent) of levies in U.S. hands. "It's only to appease Mr. Bush- All of this is designed to generate so-called warming relations with the administration." Layton is not surprised that Harper has forged warmer relations than his predecessor. "Of course they're warm and fuzzy; we're rolling over and giving in." Layton projected himself as a one-man think tank on the issues of the day, including the menace of global warming. Like former U.S. vice-president Al Gore, who brought the issue increased notoriety in his film The Inconvenient Truth, Layton carries a climate change Power Point presentation in his laptop. "I remember the first time I started talking about seven-metre sea level rises. People thought I was smoking something that wasn't legal yet," he said, adding that when the Greenland ice sheet melts the Inner Harbour will be underwater. An eternal optimist, Layton has hope that this catastrophe can be avoided and credits municipalities for their efforts. "It's the municipalities who've done the most across the country," he added. "Victoria has already taken some good steps." But there's much yet to be done. Many buildings in Victoria need renovations to be energy efficient, he said, noting that such power sources as solar, wind and tides should be pursued locally to reduce the use of fossil fuels. "There's so many energy efficient and renewable energy products that communities are ready to take on-but it's Ottawa who has the funds." Layton's manner countered the urgency of his words. Cool, calm and collected, he strolled through the summer crowds to his next interview. Along the way, politically savvy passersby recognized him and his signature mustache. He even stopped to have his photo taken with Victoria's "Plasterman" street performer, known for his immobile poses. Continuing on, Layton rounded the bend on Douglas Street to Broughton Street to some unexpected notoriety. "Look, it's Stockwell Day," shouted a homeless man from a street corner. Layton laughed at being mistaken for the voice of social conservatism. "I guess he's not up on his federal politics," he quipped. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath